Our Lifeline

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Today I write for one. Yet, for us all.

This morning I grieve for my friend. A friend who just found out that a close family member is facing terminal cancer. News that crushes the spirit. News of such weight requires words of comfort that I can not offer. No one can. Human words are incapable to suffice. Only The Word offers true comfort. So today, this is where I land. My heart heavy for my friend, searching the Word for Christ's comfort for her.

Two words came to mind when I heard of her story.

Distress.

Comfort.

I thought of David praying, "I love you, O Lord, my strength . The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock in whom I take refuge...In my distress I called to the Lord. I cried to my God for help....my cry came before him, into his ears." Psalm 120:1-2,6.

In our distress or suffering we cry unto the Lord. Cancer evokes tears. Our cry goes into the ears of our Lord. Amazing and beautiful.

I think of Jesus and the distress he faced. "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." He is the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

Suffering flows over, but His comfort overflows. He is the Father of ALL comfort. Every genre of grief. He comforts every trouble.

I also thought of Jesus' promise - "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Comfort in all of these passages means "a calling to one's side. A calling near. Summoned (especially for help)." So in our distress, our cry to the Lord, which falls on His compassionate ears, summons Him to our side.

Friend, he is near. At your side. Comforting you. Jesus says we are blessed when we mourn for he is summoned and near.

He has gone before us and experienced every grief. Every pain.

It is in times like these the rubber of our faith hits the road.

Clinging to Jesus is an understatement.

Christ is our lifeline.

Love you friend. Praying.