On Thy Consolations
“Coinfortye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God!” — ISA. 2l. 1.
God’s people are often apt to be “discouraged because of the waj.” In the bitterness of their spirits, they are often apt to saj, with desponding Zion, “The Lord hath forsaken me,” or with the faithless prophet, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
But the Christian has his consolations too, and they are “strong consolations.” The “still small voice” mingles with the hurricane and the storm. The bush bums with fire, but the Great God is in the bush, and therefore it is indestructible 1 “The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted!” Earthly consolations may help to dry one tear, but another is ready to flow: God dries all. There is no want in the aching voids of the sinner’s heart but He can supply.
Is it mercy to pardon? I can look uy to the throne of the most high God, and see Holiness and Righteousness, and Justice and Truth, all bending in exulting harmony over my ruined soul, exclaiming,” This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
!”
Is it grace to help? I can look up to that same throne, and behold seated thereon a Great High Priest; nay, a mighty “Prince, having power with God, and prevailing” — “prayer without ceasing” ascending from His lips in behalf of His people. When Satan seeks “to sift” them on earth, His upholding power protects them in heaven! When temptation assails them in their earthly conflicts, the true Moses on the Mount, with hands that never “grow heavy,” makes them “more than conquerors.” When trial threatens to prostrate them, He identifies Himself with the sufferers — He points to His own sorrows to show them how light the heaviest of earth’s sorrows are! Even over the gloomy portals of the grave He can write, “Blessed are the dead!” He alone felt Death’s substance — His people only “see the shadow.” He makes it a “Yalley of Achor,” through which “the two spies, Faith and Hope,” fetch back Eschol-pledges of the True Land of Promise!
My soul! art thou now weary, or desponding? Is some cross heavy on thee — some trial oppressing thee — some thorn in the flesh sorely lacerating thee? Be still! He will make His “grace sufficient for thee.” If He has allured thee into the wilderness, it is that He may speak comfortably unto thee. He has an antidote for every bosom — a balm for every heart — a comfort for every pang — a solace for every tear.” In the multitude
94 THE KIGHT “WATCHES.
of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul!”
“Tis my happiness below
Not to live without the cross,
But the Saviour’s power to know.
Sanctifying every loss.
“Trials must and will befall;
But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all, — - j
This is happiness to me! j
“Trials make the promise sweet,
Trials give new life to prayer,
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay nie low, and keep me there!”
“I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE AND SLEEP; FOE THOU, LOED, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY