OWC 2026 Devotional | Week 1, Day 4

GOD, WHO ARE YOU? | GOD IS OUR COMFORTER

I’m always amazed that the God of Creation, the King of Kings, the Holy of Holies, the Lord of Lords cares about our comfort. It’s remarkable to me that He is paying that much attention to us. 

He doesn’t just care about what we’re doing, He cares about how we’re doing. 

The Bible tells us He is our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) and His Holy Spirit is our Comforter (John 16:7).  

Elijah experienced being comforted by God during an incredibly lonely and terrifying time in his life. He had just experienced his most powerful and public days of ministry, showing great bravery in defending the Lord and disgracing false gods. He had summoned the King and 850 prophets, and publicly defiled and defeated them. He was full of courage, and was successful. Then, he was threatened by one woman and ran for his life. I’ll resist offering more commentary on the wrath of a woman and simply blame the change of heart due to our feelings being very fleeting and fickle. As courageous as we can feel one day, we can easily feel as discouraged the next.  

Read 1 Kings 19:1-19 

God responds as a Comforter to Elijah. He doesn’t lecture him on how his past victories should fuel future faith, or on his whining, or use this as a teaching moment; He just comforts. As a daughter, I am so thankful that this is who my Heavenly Father is. As children, we’re so thankful when our parents lead with comfort. As a mother, I need to take notes. I tend to lead with correction first, snack last. God cared that Elijah was tired and hungry, so He provided for Him. He comforted His body, and then He comforted His soul in two ways. First, He sent reminders of His power, a fire and an earthquake, because all of us feel safe when we’re reminded of what God can do. Then, He sent comfort by speaking in a whisper. The whisper brought comfort because it prompted Elisha to step out of his cave and get near to the Lord. The Lord knew when Elijah needed the safety of the cave, and He led him there. The Lord also knew when it was time for Elijah to leave the cave, and He led him out. The Lord is our perfect Comforter.  

• What have you believed about God as a Comforter? 

• What is God revealing to You about being your Comforter?