Comfort my people

Comfort C Comfort my people

BRINGING COMFORT, HOPE AND LIFE THROUGH THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S WORD

May you know the depth of God’s Grace, Strength and Healing... and walk through the challenges of life Triumphantly!

As you read through the following pages and work through your own tragic, difficult times, know that the depth of all you are experiencing has been recorded throughout God’s Word. Pray your way through each and every day. It will not always be this hard. Care for yourself well. Be alone with God. Surround yourself with others. Do what you can do–physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Trust and seek our Almighty, All-Powerful God for what you cannot do.

I pray God provides all the support you need in a myriad of ways.

May you find God in everyday moments, places and people.

May He give wisdom and discernment at this tender time.

Grieve in your own unique way. We are all a “work in progress.” God is always at work.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD–“O LORD, save me!”

The LORD is gracious, righteous and full of compassion. The LORD protects. When I was in great need, He saved me.

ough Scripture

For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

I believed even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” from PSALM 116:3-10

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

PSALM 22:1

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

PSALM 73:21-22

O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me. Listen to the cry of my people.

from JEREMIAH 8:18-19

...the Spirit helps us in our weakness...the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

from ROMANS 8:26

My tears have been my food, day and night...I pour out my soul... My soul is downcast within me...deep calls to deep... In the roar of your waterfalls;

I say to God, my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me?

Scripture

...You uphold me and set me in Your Presence.

Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? I am taunted, “Where is your God? Why are you downcast, Omy soul? Why so disturbed within me?”

from PSALM 41:12

from PSALM 42:3-11

“Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”

JOB 7:11

...days of affliction have taken hold of me.

JOB 30:16

...like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.

Pour out your heart in the presence of the Lord.

I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

from LAMENTATIONS 2:19

J EREMIAH 20:9

...they lamented loudly and bitterly.

GENESIS 50:10

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened...

from 2 CORINTHIANS 5:4

And by Him we cry, “Abba Father.” from ROMANS 8:15

Butyou,OGod,doseetroubleandgrief; You hear, OLORD,thedesireoftheafflicted; youencouragethem,andyoulistentotheircry, defendingthefatherlessandtheoppressed, inorderthatman,whoisoftheearth, mayterrifynomore.

from PSALM 10:14-18

We have suffered ruin and destruction. Streams of tears flow from my eyes. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees. What I see brings grief to my soul.

from LAMENTATIONS 3:47-51

...then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. from JOB 38:1

Does he who formed the eye not see?

I called on your name, O LORD, from the depth of the pit.

You heard my plea

You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.”

You came near

You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

You took up my case

O LORD, you took up my case; you redeemed my life.

You redeemed my life

You have seen, O Lord, the wrong done to me.

You have seen

Uphold my cause!

You have heard

You have seen the depth of their vengeance, all their plots against me. O LORD, you have heard. from LAMENTATIONS 3:55-60

Does he who implanted the ear not hear? from PSALM 94:9

The LORD said, “I have indeed seen...

I have heard them crying out and I am concerned about their suffering.”

EXODUS 3:7

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”

MATTHEW 26:36 MARK 14:34

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.”

AnangelfromheavenappearedandstrengthenedHim.

And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

from LUKE 22:42-44 MARK 14:36

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.

HEBREWS 5:7

As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it.

LUKE 19:41

Record my lament, list my tears on your scroll–

You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle; are they not in Your book?

are they not in your record?

PSALM 56:8 NASB

PSALM 56:8 NIV

...He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

from J OHN 11:33

He will lead them to springs of living water...and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

from REVELATION 7:17

“Abba,Father,everythingispossibleforyou...”

These double calamities have come upon you–whocancomfortyou?

Ruin and destruction, famine and sword–who can console you?

ISAIAH 51:19

...the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.

1:3-4

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

PSALM 126:5-6

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 have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flows over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

REVELATION 21:4

...you will weep and mourn...you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

JOHN 16:20

II CORINTHIANS 1:3-5

...to comfort all who mourn... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning...

ISAIAH 61:2-3

from JOHN 14:16 KJV

...theSpirithelpsusinourweakness... theSpiritintercedesforus...

from ROMANS 8:26

And by Him we cry,“Abba Father.”

from ROMANS 8:15

I am the man who has seen affliction, made to walk in darkness; I am besieged and surrounded with bitterness and hardship. I dwell in darkness. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.” I remember my affliction and my wandering...my soul is downcast within me.

...yetthisIcalltomindandtherefore I havehope

Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

For men are not cast off by the LORD forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

from LAMENTATIONS 3

...For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

from ISAIAH 49:13

...andHeshallgiveyouanotherComforter,thatHemayabidewithyouforever.

Arise, shine, for your light has come... See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you.

from ISAIAH 60:1,2

...your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

from ISAIAH 58:10

After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied.

from ISAIAH 53:11

The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?

PSALM 27:1

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

PSALM 18:28

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

PSALM 31:16

The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory... and your days of sorrow will end.

from ISAIAH 60:19-20

There will be no more night.

from REVELATION 22:5

...in your light we see light .

from PSALM 36:9

from 1 CORINTHIANS 2:10

Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

PSALM 88:11-12

You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.

PSALM 88:18

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the light will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

PSALM 139:11-12

Show the wonder of your great love...

from PSALM 17:7

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens–what can you do? They are deeper than the depthof the grave–what can you know?”

JOB 11:7-8

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

ISAIAH 42:16

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten–...and you will praise the name of the LORD your God who has worked wonders for you.”

from JOEL 2:25-26

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ”

II CORINTHIANS 12:9

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart...

from PSALM 73:26

“I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and very courageous... Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you...”

from JOSHUA 1:5-9

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

ISAIAH 41:13

...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:31

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

II CORINTHIANS 4:7

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

...whose weakness was turned to strength.

HEBREWS 11:34

...out of His glorious riches may He strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.

from EPHESIANS 3:16

The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?

from PSALM 27:1

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

EPHESIANS 6:10

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca [weeping–not a literal valley, but any place of tears], they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools [blessings]. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayers, O LORD God Almighty.

from PSALM 84

...though I walk through the [darkest] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

PSALM 23:4

Be strong and courageous...

The LORD himself goes before you and is with you...

from DEUTERONOMY 31:7-8

I will be with you,when you pass through the waters...

from ISAIAH 43:2

Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

from PSALM 43:5

And the LORD said [to Moses]...

“There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.

When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.”

from EXODUS 33:19-22

GOD is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. PSALM 46:1

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

“I saw the Lord always before me.”

ACTS 2:25 PSALM 16:8

...gaze upon the beauty of the LORD. from PSALM 27:4

PSALM 139:7

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion...

PSALM 51:1

Who is a God like you, who pardons sins and forgives... you do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

from MICAH 7:18

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end... they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 RSV

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

HEBREWS 4:16

“...because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

LUKE 1:78-79

mercies

Is Your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in destruction?

PSALM 88:11

...Great is Thy Faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.

from LAMENTATIONS 3:23-26

Your faithfulness continues through all generations...

from PSALM 119:90

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens!

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

from PSALM 36:5 KJV

HewillcoveryouwithHisfeathers... andunderHiswingsyouwillfindrefuge...

from PSALM 91:4

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth...

from PSALM 85:11

In faithfulness He will bring forth justice.

from ISAIAH 42:3

...His faithfulness will be your shield...

from PSALM 91:4

...the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.

from PSALM 117:2

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

HEBREWS 12:12-13

I will exhalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths ...O LORD, my God, I called to you for help and you healed me... you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit.

from PSALM 30 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.

PSALM 107:14

“Daughter,your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

from REVELATION 22:2

from LUKE 8:48 ...for I am the LORD, who heals you.

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

JEREMIAH 17:14

from EXODUS 15:26

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. from ISAIAH 61:1-3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their griefs. PSALM 147:3

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit and broken of heart.

from PSALM 34:18 NKJV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart...

PSALM 51:17

When you walk through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through the rivers of difficulty, you will not be overwhelmed. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames shall not consume you.

ISAIAH 43:2 NLT

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.

ISAIAH 53:11

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light andmomentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Sowe fix our eyesnot on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

from PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13

Give us this day our daily bread.

MATTHEW 6:11 RSV

For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

LAMENTATIONS 3:33

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8,16-18

Who shall separateus fromthe love of Christ?

Shalltrouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness ordangeror sword? NO! ...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neitherthepresentnor the future, norany powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything elsein all creation, will be able to separate us from the loveof God thatis inChrist Jesus our LORD.

from ROMANS 8:35,36-39

God is love.

God so loved us, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear...

from 1 JOHN 4:4-18

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

from EPHESIANS 3:16-19

2 SAMUEL 22:2-3

PSALM 18:2

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD is the Rock eternal.

ISAIAH 26:4

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge. from PSALM 73:28

He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

from PSALM 40:2

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

HEBREWS 6:19

In the shadow of thy wings, I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. from PSALM 57:1

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house–yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.

MATTHEW 7:25

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

PSALM 46:1-3

He is my Rock.

from PSALM 92:15

rock

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer–my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior–

And He will be their peace.

MICAH 5:5

“Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”

from ISAIAH 57:19

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

JAMES 3:18

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee...

from ISAIAH 26:3 KJV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

JOHN 14:27

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

PSALM 107:29

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

LUKE 8:24

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things...

And the God of peace will be with you.

PHILIPPIANS 4:7-9

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

NUMBERS 6:24-26

...it is well, it is well, with my soul. from hymn by Horatio G. Spafford

1873

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning...

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth clothing me with joy...

from PSALM 30:5, 11-12

...I proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night... I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

ough Scripture

PSALM 92:2,4

morning dawns and evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

from PSALM 65:8

...Let the light of Your Face shine upon us, O LORD. Youhave filled my heart with greater joy...

from PSALM 4:6-7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.

PSALM 28:7

May my joy be in you, and be full and complete. from JOHN 15:11

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees... for the LORD has redeemed and displays His Glory...

from ISAIAH 44:23

Where

ISAIAH 55:12

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.

LUKE 6:23

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

JOHN 8:12

I will lift up my eyes to the hills–from where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The LORD watches over you. The LORD will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life...

the LORDwill watch over your comingand going both now and forevermore.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 CORINTHIANS 2:9

ISAIAH 64:4

I am the way, the truth and the life.

from JOHN 14:6

from PSALM 121:1-8

“You will go out in joy and beled forth in peace...”

...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair ...for the display of His splendor.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I PETER 1:6-7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day...

from ISAIAH 61:3

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life ...to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD.

PSALM 27:4

Walking thro

2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

PSALM 23:5-6

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy Place where the Most High dwells.

PSALM 46:4

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning, or crying or pain.

from REVELATION 7:17, 21:4

www.WalkingthroughScripture.com

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

from JOHN 3:16

Since the creation of the world, His invisible qualities, His eternal power and deity, have been clearly seen–being understood from what has been made...

from ROMANS 1:20

...resting on the hope of eternal life, which God promised before the beginning of time.

from TITUS 1:2

For it is the will of my Father that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day!

from JOHN 6:40

Proclaim the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people.

from REVELATION 14:6

from I TIMOTHY 1:17

Nowunto the King eternal, immortal,invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

notes

I would love to personally sit with you and go through each page. In lieu of that, I have added a few notes of additional insights to the various pages. I know you will also have your own notes, as God speaks to you.

Comfort my people begins in black and ends in gold. The inside pages visually turn from gray to color, reflecting a journey of despair, to hope, to joy. Verses are precisely interwoven to give additional insights.

This book stems from Isaiah 61, “...to comfort all who mourn,” which was given to me at a time of tragedy in my own life. The book came to fruition after 9-11, when God told me to put together a book of verses that would comfort people. The initial pages were paired with photos from 9-11 in a remembrance service titled Walking through Tragedy. Scripture and my own (unretouched) photography were interwoven to bring “comfort, hope and life through the beauty of God’s Word”–with the book Comfort my people emerging over many years.

Psalm 116 begins with stark black–the absence of color. I have experienced the blackness of grief in my own life. God did save and deliver me. This is a deep, rich verse that I encourage you to read in full. God is good through all.

Cry out The verse in Isaiah 40:6 “Cry out!, What shall I cry,” is answered by Romans 8:26 “We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” Get on your knees and pour out your soul with tears and sighs. Know that the Spirit intercedes for you.

God heard their groaning Lamenting is found throughout the Bible and is a worthy part of the grieving process.

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief Know that God does see and hear. He grieves alongside us. These pages were in the original booklet of 9-11, and sung with “I the Lord of Sea and Sky, I have heard my people cry.” Find the lyrics online and listen to this powerful song. Photographed the morning of 9-11, as all planes were to turn around and land.

Jesus wept The shortest verse in the Bible that holds oceans of tears. Jesus was deeply moved at the tomb of Lazarus and wept. Ancient mourners would catch their tears in wineskins. (Wipe your tears with a tissue or take a dropper and place “prayers of tears” in a small clear bottle; write out your “prayers of tears” on a small piece of paper, roll up as a scroll and place them inside a bottle.) Know that God will wipe away every tear–there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain. Revelation 21:4

The photo on the right reminds one of Calvary, where Jesus suffered and died, and the preceding days of sorrow, anguish and tears, which are referenced through verses on the page.

Comfort my people God brings comfort and healing in many ways–spiritually, physically and emotionally. They are all interwoven–as is the text. There is a time to mourn, with golden threads of comfort, hope and life.

Hope A ray shining through a dark cloud visually portrays hope (and beauty). The text from Hebrews is anchored at the base of “hope.”

Let light shine out of darkness The photo shows an immense contrast of bright light amidst the deep darkness of golden brown hues. It was taken after an evening storm in my home town. Light is an important element in photography, as well as an important element throughout the Bible and life.

Wonders God’s Spirit goes to the deep depth of our darkness, working wonders in ways we do not fathom. God is always at work, even in the night and darkness. The same Oak Tree is shown throughout the booklet on the following pages: wonders, strength, healing and joy.

Strength The photo portrays the rising sun with its illuminating rays washing over the land. A tree limb reaches up to the light. Embrace God’s strength.

Presence Psalm 84 is a beautiful and profound prayer. The photo shows the reflection of sky and trees, with golden autumn leaves buoyed on the water. Adjacent is a representation of God’s glory passing by the cleft of the rocks.

Mercies Lamentations 3 is an incredible verse of God’s faithfulness and daily mercies. Read through the whole verse. Verses 1-19 express a deep valley. Note the pinnacle verse 21, as the writer remembers and begins to go forth with hope. The morning sun is shown, as it rises across the land, beckoning a new day to begin, with new mercies each and every morning.

Faithfulness The sweeping clouds reach up to the skies and remind us of God’s boundless faithfulness. The wispy clouds appear like feathers, covering us softly and gently as a refuge.

Healing Sun illuminates the beauty of the oak tree, its branches and surrounding foliage–backlighting the mighty oak. God’s healing is through many ways: physically, emotionally and spiritually. His grace is provided daily.

Suffering Jesus knew the path of suffering well. The road to the cross was steep. In the rural road photo, the poles remind me of the cross, ultimately shining in God’s glory. Earthly, temporary suffering holds no comparison to the eternal glory of God.

Love Read the entire chapter of I Corinthians 13. Love is the greatest of these. The rose was photographed with raindrops that had recently fallen.

Restore Stone permeates much of the soil of Kansas. The photo was the remains of rock after church construction. God’s continual work of restoration is found throughout the Bible–from Genesis to Revelation.

Rock There are many references of “rock” throughout the Bible. A fortress, refuge, deliverer, an anchor and firm foundation. The rock was photographed with delicate light illuminating the ragged stone, giving a gentle beauty amidst its solid core of strength.

Trust Proverbs 3:5-6 is a life verse for me. We don’t always understand the beginning to end. The straight path is complex, with extra twists and turns. Mist oftentimes refers to God’s presence–which is there along the way, leading and guiding amidst unclear paths.

Peace This is the first photo I took, after I was told the booklet needed photography. The shining sun seems to blow out of the sky. Though there are no leaves on the tree, God’s peace transcends circumstances.

Joy After mourning, Joy will come again in the morning. The trees shout out joY! The misty photo is a stark contrast with the white background and dark oak tree, in the times between dusk and dawn. Those in between times, as morning dawns and evening fades, are of much value and call forth joy.

Life This photo was taken at my neighbor’s rural driveway. It was such a perfect morning mist, with exquisite lighting that produced this picturesque photo. Eternal pleasures await us through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Gold The refining of pain, suffering and sorrow with ashes turned to beauty. Shown is the dormant volcano Haleakala at sunrise amidst the golden skies. Also shown is telephone pole, that shines in the golden skies. This same pole was photographed on the “suffering” page, along the same road.

Eternal The cross was photographed in Western Kansas. In reality, it stands only four feet high. But perceptually, the cross actually stands tall and wide enough for all people of all nations.

“Showing us the glory of God in the face of Christ,” is a verse so beautiful and rich. Take the time to ponder this verse. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace (lyrics to Turn your eyes upon Jesus).

May His light shine in your heart, as Jesus, the risen Savior, loves you and died for you– giving you eternal life.

–Rose M. Burgweger

I hope this book continues to give you comfort, hope and life.

Music is also healing to the soul. Find comfort in these additional songs: Blessings (Your mercies in disguise); Eye of the Storm; For Those Tears I died; Great Is Thy Faithfulness; The only Scars in Heaven; Tell Your Heart to Beat Again; You Say (I am loved, I am strong); (I will sing of the) Goodness of God.

Within the Bible, God’s precious, Holy Word is an everlasting, ever-enduring, living Book. Remnants and threads of themes are interwoven throughout both the Old and New Testaments. They are meshed precisely, like fine linen. Multifaceted, glistening with great depths of God’s truth.

Comfort my people is an adaptation of Walking through Tragedy that began shortly after September 11, 2001. Like many, I thought and prayed “What can I do?” I remember distinctly, while walking in my garage, God saying, “Put together a book of verses that will comfort people.”

Over many years, it has been refined and expanded. Each page walks you through Scripture, portraying the depths of feeling and emotions through typography. With my graphic design background and interweaving Scripture with my photography, Comfort my people visually walks you through the darkness into the light.

God’s Word does go into the hard places of life. Some of my own personal experiences are woven throughout the pages, as well as verses treasured by others during their difficult times. Using a concordance minimally, I felt God’s hand led me through books and pages of the Bible. Intuitively each page came together, and would unfold.

Portions of God’s powerful Word are compiled as a “dialogue.” Look up the verses and see them in their entirety and context. God’s Word is full of great power to comfort, heal, cleanse, forgive, humble, teach and give Life!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His Power that is at work within us, to Him be the Glory!

from E PHESIANS 3:20-21 xxx

Scriptures adapted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®

New Scofield Reference Bible

Revised Standard Version®

All proceeds used for Printing and Distribution of Comfort my people.

Copyright © 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022

Design and photography by Rose M. Burgweger RMB prints & design, LLC

Comfort Comfort

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