Comfort Food
Most of us have heard the term comfort food. Comfort food is food that reminds us of home. Its taste takes us back to happy times, bringing us satisfaction and a sense of well-being. Often, we equate hearty foods with comfort. While there’s nothing wrong with certain foods bringing enjoyment and nostalgic memories to us, we should be finding real comfort in other ways than from food.
How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 (NKJV)
I like how The Message translates this verse: Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. David, who wrote most of the Psalms, certainly loved the Word and drew his comfort from the Scriptures. It was his comfort food. The Bible is the Holy Spirit-breathed Word of God. And the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter (John 14:16). Thus, the Word truly is our comfort food. I’ve included some tasty morsels below to bring you special comfort. Meditate, or chew, on them throughout the day and savor their taste like you would good food. Hear the Lord speak His comfort to you through them. I have used the New King James Version for this collection, but feel free to use the translation that speaks most to you.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) emphasis mine
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (NKJV)
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) emphasis mine
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
And my personal favorite comfort food:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (NKJV)
These are just a few of the verses that the Lord quickened to me as I was writing this. I’m sure you can find more and create your own “menu” of comfort food that ministers to you.
