Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 7, 2018
Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13
A God hug is a timely gift. His hugs soothe, comfort and calm. He is never late in offering His affection or too busy to stand still and embrace His human creation. The Spirit gently caresses burdened shoulders and rubs out raw pain in the backs of believers. His compassion has never failed. His mercy is fresh every day. Like a cool cream alleviates an itchy skin rash, so His balm of grace relieves a rash of worries. A God hug holds on until healing occurs. He holds on tight.
Furthermore, a God hug does not happen on the run, but while we stand still. ‘Slow down my child,’ He says, ‘Hush, I have this,’ ‘Be still, let Me hold you.’ ‘Rest in My arms.’ So we learn to stay stationary by faith and trust the right activities will get done in the right time. When we schedule appointments to be loved by the Lord, we receive strength for the journey. Otherwise we exhaust our ability to encourage without the infusion of Christ’s courage. His hugs hearten.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Affection from the Almighty makes us attractive to those who need our compassion and care. Our hugs from Jesus compel us to hug others with unconditional love. For example, we may receive an unexpected financial blessing, so we are able to show generosity to another’s cash challenge. An insight from Scripture or a kind word from a friend could be passed on to a person who needs our encouragement. God comforts us, so we can comfort others.
Shout for joy in praise to your Creator for His comfort and compassion. Brag on His name and extol Him for His divine affection. Like the father of the prodigal son who came home, your Father in Heaven can’t wait to embrace you in your shame, stress or success. He runs to greet you with warm acceptance, so throw yourself into His arms. Cast your cares on Christ and abandon your life to the Lord. Invite His affections to become your affections. Yes, enjoy His sweet embrace!
“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I receive your love and affection. Thanks for your comforting hugs just when I need them.Application
What comfort have I received from Christ that I can comfort another hurting soul with?Related Reading
Psalm 23:4; Jeremiah 8:18; Zechariah 10:2; Nahum 1:7; Ephesians 1:3Post/Tweet today
God comforts us, so we can comfort others. #aGodhug #wisdomhuntersWorship Resource
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer this week.
This morning laying in bed I said to the Lord, “I just need a hug”, “I need my mommy, lord”
Then I felt my husband reach for me, he pulled me close, and I cried. At that moment I felt so thankful for Jesus.
When I got up to read my daily wisdom hunter devotion, I sat and cried.
How good is our god? How tender is he? How grateful I am for a god who cares about my needs, even if its just a small (big) hug! Thank you jesus.
Dear Kimberly,
Thank you for reaching out to us with your sweet, tender words. I re-read “A God Hug” after I read your response and took it in from your eyes. Kimberly, I cannot begin to understand what you are feeling (with your diagnosis) but I can get a glimpse into your joy when you wrote “How good is our God? How tender is He? How grateful I am for a God who cares about my need, even if it just a small (big) hug!”.
Kimberly, I thank God for taking care of you and loving you more than we can imagine. And I am thankful for your husband for being there for you and going through this with you. Kimberly, you are so loved and blessed.
When I re-read “A God Hug” with “your eyes”, I was struck with a sense of relief and joy when I read “A God hug holds on until the healing occurs. He holds on tight.” I pray you are feeling His Presence especially in the hard moments.
Boyd also wrote, “Furthermore, a God hug does not happen on the run, but while we stand still, ‘Slow down my child; He says ‘Hush, I have this; Be still, let me hold you; Rest in My arms’. Oh Kimberly, do you just feel His Love and Comfort? He is there for you, giving you “hugs” when you need them! Be still, slow down and feel every “hug”.
Our prayer team would like to pray for you and your family during this time. If that is Ok, let me know (gwynne@wisdomhunters.com) and please let us know how you are doing. We will be lifting you up and thanking God for walking theough this with you and for taking care of you.
Praising the One Who created you and wrote your story!
Gwynne
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will stregthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my birden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Dear Gwynne,
This morning a memory came up on Facebook with this devotional attached “2 years ago today“. As I sat and cried over this memory I noticed that I responded to it and then I noticed you responded to me. I never saw it til today. Do you believe in Gods perfect timing? How sweet it is to be reminded of Gods love that never fails nor leaves us.
My girlfriend was diagnosed on my 2 year anniversary with the same breast cancer. I am going to send this to her in hopes that she too receives the love of god through its words.
How Am I doing? This week, Tuesday, I received an “all clear” and within the last year god called me to run a nonprofit to help overs in my community to feel the love of God in their lives. I give out God Hugs!
Please look us up,
www. lovekzoo.today.
Blessings to you. And thank you again for this devotional that I read everyday and god never fails to use to enlighten me, teach me, or just to give me a hug to encourage me.❤️