Comfort from the Psalms: Psalm 33

Comfort. It’s one of the things we all seek, but something chronic illness sufferers especially desire. And understandably so! Comfort from the physical, mental, or emotional pain. Comfort from the stress of life. Comfort from the hurt and heartache.

But where you and I tend to run for comfort doesn’t last. That Netflix binge only comforts as long as you’re distracted. That ice cream only brings comfort while you’re eating it. That relationship only brings comfort as long as they love you the way you want.

Psalm 33 reminded me of this.

“The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.”
Ps. 33:18-22

There are many things that give us a sense of hope that turn out to be false, like the army or strength or war horse described in verses 16-17. The same is true for comfort. There are many things in life that promise us comfort—Netflix, a relationship, food, sleep, a spouse, the right job, the next day off or vacation, social media validation. Those things can be good, but they will never satisfy our hearts completely.

The only comfort that’s everlasting comes from the Great Comforter, the One who delivers and sustains us (v. 19). God comforts us in all our afflictions (2 Cor. 1:4). He is the God of all comfort (Rom. 15:5). And He uses His Word to bring us comfort (Ps. 119:50). He helps us in our difficulties. All His work is done in faithfulness (v. 4). Because of God's unchanging character, this should be our response:

“Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.” (vs. 20-22)

Yes, we can then wait for God, trust in Him, hope in Him and find our joy in Him. He is the One we can turn to and find lasting comfort and hope. Don't miss out on this by turning to things that will only comfort for a moment, when the One who created you is calling you to come to Him and find rest (Mt. 11:28).

Let these truths comfort your heart today.