DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
JULY 20, 2026
READ: Psalm 78 (Focus vs. 1–8) & 2 Corinthians 1 (Focus vs. 1-7)
MEMORY VERSE
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.” Psalm 78:4
BACKGROUND
After a fifty-five year wait, England’s soccer team finally made it to the European Football Championship Cup finals. Locked in a tie with Italy, the game was decided by a penalty shootout. England’s last chance fell to a young player named Bukayo Saka.
But as Saka kicked the penalty shot, Italy’s goalkeeper deflected it. England fans wept; the Cup was lost.
Few will forget what happened next, though. England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, walked over to the devastated Saka and embraced him. Southgate knew how Saka felt.
In 1996 it was he, as a young player, who had missed the penalty shot that cost England a place in the semifinals, and England’s then-manager Terry Venables had comforted him in the very same way.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Paul says, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Just as Southgate passed on to Saka what he’d received from Venables, Paul discovered that God’s comfort in his distress enabled him to comfort others in theirs, building their endurance (v. 6). Our “God of all comfort” (v. 3) can use our disappointment for good.
So. let’s do the same, passing on God’s comfort to create an endless chain of encouragement.
Lawrence Darmani
INSIGHT
Notice the words all and any in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “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 receive from God.”
These are comprehensive descriptors that provide extraordinary comfort because they assure us that no matter what we go through, God will provide His all-encompassing comfort.
In addition, we can console others who are experiencing trials and heartaches, whether we’ve experienced them or not. This is the greatness of God. As our Creator, He fully understands what we’re suffering and knows how to comfort our hurting hearts.
As He comforts us, we pass along His comfort to others so they too can become a conduit for His comfort, mercy, and grace.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
How has God comforted you in a time of loss or distress? How can you pass that comfort on to someone else today?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“As God comforts us, we pass along His comfort to others so they too can become a conduit for His comfort, mercy, and grace …creating an endless chain of encouragement.”
PR’s TAKE
“Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.” A.A. Milne
“Look at you comforting others with the words you wish to hear.” Rumi
PRAYER
“God of comfort, through each trial I face, please help me pass on Your comfort to others.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER”
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed his own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul.
