Renee Davis Meyer

This week in my Living on the Rock Bible study, we are talking about the Holy Spirit, and God’s promise that He is “the God of all comfort.”

Let’s start with the dictionary definition of COMFORT:

verb (used with object)

1. to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to: They tried to comfort her after her loss.
2. to make physically comfortable.
3. to aid; support or encourage.

noun

1. relief in affliction; consolation; solace: Her presence was a comfort to him.
2. a feeling of relief or consolation: Her forgiveness afforded him great comfort.
3. a person or thing that gives consolation: She was a great comfort to him.
4. a cause or matter of relief or satisfaction: The patient’s recovery was a comfort to the doctor.
5. A state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants, with freedom from pain and anxiety: He is a man who enjoys his comfort.
6. something that promotes such a state: His wealth allows him to enjoy a high degree of comfort.

This is important for us to think through if we’re going to claim this promise that our God is a “God of all comfort”, as 2 Corinthians 1 teaches.

Because if you look at the whole testimony of Scripture and God’s promises to us – He does promise (over and over) to “soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to” us. But I don’t see any promise to “make physically comfortable.” We’re actually promised, “In this world you will have trouble…” (but take heart! I have overcome the world!)

Read more

This week in my Living on the Rock Bible study*, we looked at the name and character of God.

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:10)

We spent our time together today thinking about how Jesus reveals God’s character to us.

For many, our salvation is the story of a wrathful God, angry at sin. Jesus, loving and kind, steps between the Father and us, saving us from wrathful God.

Do you relate to that picture at all? This dualistic view of God is very common, and can sometimes be hard to recognize in ourselves. A friend shared this morning that when she answered this question, she thought she wasn’t affected by this dualism. But in the course of our conversation, when someone expressed discomfort with some of how the Old Testament represents God, her first thought was “Well, that’s the Old Testament God, Jesus is something totally different.”

I thought that was such an important realization. Read more

It was so good to process my thoughts on “God is Able” with women from across various walks of life on Tuesday. In the course of the discussion, my friend Meredith said something that’s stuck with me. She said she struggles with the wording of “God is ABLE”. Because of course He’s able. But is He willing?

Read more

Over the next few months, I am leading the most precious group of women at my church through a Bible study called “Living on the Rock: Finding Security in an Insecure World.” I plan to share some of what I’m learning and teaching here on the blog. You can find everything I’ve written about this under the tag “Living on the Rock”.

This week in Living on the Rock, we’re going to be taking a closer look at Psalm 91 (one of my favorites.)

Our truth for this week is

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”

I love the imagery of dwelling in the shelter or shadow of the Most High.

The word for dwell in Psalm 91:1 means to sit down, remain, or stay. It means to live, to abide. As in: I live in the Lord’s shadow – I’m close to Him, I’m in His presence.

The Message translates this: “You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!”

I trust in You, and I’m safe.

Read more

I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is ABLE to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to Him.  (2 Timothy 1:12)

He is ABLE to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

He is ABLE to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

He is ABLE to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

He is ABLE to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

He is ABLE to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. (Jude 24)

Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enABLEs him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:21)

“Do you believe that I am ABLE to do this?”… “Yes, Lord.” “According to your faith be it done to you.” (Matthew 9:28-29)

We know God’s promises. We know how He has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. We sing songs about our Great God, and how He loves us.

Our God is ABLE.

And yet how often are our lives characterized not by confidence in His ability, but by…

Worry.  Fear.  Insecurity.  Control.   Anxiety,  Anger.  Discouragement.  Doubt.  Why?

We know Him, but we don’t believe Him.

Read more