The world continues to try and find solutions to bring peace to a troubled world. It will never find the peace it is looking for. Offers and agreements of peace are drawn up – but warring sides are not interested, allowing the violence and death to continue.

There is only one Source of true peace and it is Jesus Christ. He alone is able to say to the storm “peace, be still,” and it obeys Him. He also came to “guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk. 1:79).

Individuals – even believers – often cannot find the peace they seek because they are looking for it in the wrong place. Peace of heart does not come through wealth, prestige, loved ones, security, or fame. Jesus Christ did not come to give peace to the world, but to His faithful disciples. The text verse reveals that inner peace can only be enjoyed by those who have a right relation to the Word of God and its principles.

Many believers today remain troubled in heart and mind – but they do not have to be troubled. Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The words “let not your heart be troubled” reveal that it is a choice. You either want to obey God or you do not.

The peace that the faithful and obedient believer can have is one that is not offended easily. They know Who it is that takes care of them. Psalm 23 also says that they “shall not want.” It is hard to have a troubled mind when we have a Savior that protects, provides, loves, answers prayer, and can be contacted day or night.

Christian, are you troubled right now? Remember His prayer promise in Philippians 4:6,7, which says: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” You can have His peace and joy again.

Have you honestly prayed about it and left the results to Him?

Paul knew trouble. He was intimately acquainted with it. It almost seems he went from one trouble to another, ye he could talk about being comforted.

In the text verse for today, Paul makes it clear that “comfort” does not mean peace without trouble, although it can. He was comforted in his tribulation. We could not know the depths of God’s comfort apart from the trials. In fact, they make His comfort seem much sweeter and we appreciate it more.

Our God is the “God of all comfort.” I believe that it means that His comfort is more than suitable to comfort us in any situation. We can think of the “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) when we think about God’s comfort. We will not need more than that in trying times.

Many believers today do not experience God’s comfort because they are not willing to walk close to God. Doing so requires faithfulness on our part no matter what comes our way.

Paul’s testimony reveals that comfort and tribulations often go together. Serving God makes us a target for the Wicked One, but God’s grace is always sufficient when our eyes are on our Lord. God also never permits the temptation to be greater than we can bear with His help.

Notice also that these verses reveal that God has more than one purpose in comforting us. The verse proclaims that God “comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.” It means that God wants to comfort you also because He wants you to show your brothers and sisters in Christ that His comfort is sufficient to keep you serving Him.

Christian, are you experiencing His comfort now? Are you walking close enough to Him so that He can prove His comfort is more than sufficient?

The children of Israel were in the wilderness. It was a desert place and it was barren and very dry. Everything they needed had to be supplied for them and God graciously met all their needs. He even prevented their clothes and shoes from wearing out!

They were not satisfied with what God gave them and they wanted more. They lusted for more and they complained to Moses about it – again and again. Finally – God gave their desires to them.

Along with fulfilling their desires, they did not realize it right away, but there was barrenness in their soul. They got what they wanted but lost what they needed most. They sought the material things to feed their bodies but forgot that the soul also has spiritual desires and needs.

Like Samson, they woke up one day and discovered that the Lord was not with them anymore. The best blessings were missing. They no longer had the peace of God, His joy, and His comfort – all of which cannot be replaced by human effort.

Sometimes, God may give you what you want most, but it may cost you close fellowship with Him. Blessedness comes from wanting His will, His pleasure with you, and His presence; barrenness comes from wanting something else.

Christian, what is it that you want most right now? Will it lead to blessedness or barrenness? There is a price to pay for wrong or poor decisions. Lot also got what he thought he wanted – but he ended up penniless living in a cave with two daughters.

Pray carefully over your decisions and make sure that God is the center of them and that He has the right to say “No” if He wants to. When you are where He wants you to be and doing what He desires, He will supply your needs – and guide you – and you will know He is pleased.