06- The God of All COMFORT
The God of All COMFORT No sinner has the least right to the smallest comfort: all is forfeited by sin - but may be recalled by justice. All our comforts, both temporal and spiritual - are favors conferred by the bounty of God. If we had our deservings - we would be ’wretchedness personified!’ Sin removes us to an infinite distance from God - and just as far from comfort.
Jehovah is the center and circumference of comfort and happiness; the nearer to him - the happier we must be. But we willfully wandered, and are righteously banished: yet Jehovah has devised means that his banished ones should not be expelled from him. Jesus appears among us, suffers for us, and sends his gospel to us, "that he might bring us to God." The Most High God is revealed in a new covenant character, and proclaims himself "The God of all comfort - who comforts us in all our tribulation." He is the author of all the comforts enjoyed by his people, and giver of comfort to poor comfortless souls. We cannot be happy at a distance from God; nothing can possibly make us so.
We cannot come to God with confidence and satisfaction - but as we take into our minds the views he has given us of himself in the "glorious gospel." I have everything to fear from a God of vengeance - and therefore must fly from him, rather than draw near unto him. But I have nothing to fear from "The God of Comfort," who comforts those who are cast down; and therefore with courage and expectation - I come to him. Here is no terror to make me afraid, his hand will not be heavy upon me. The Father is the author of all comfort, the Son is the storehouse of all comfort, and the Holy Spirit applies comfort to the heart, and is therefore styled "the Comforter." The whole of Deity is thus presented to us in the most endearing light, in the most attractive form, in the most inviting words.
What is so much prized as comfort? Who ought to be so much loved, honored, and obeyed - as "The God of All Comfort?" By this revelation of God - we are drawn with cords of love, as with the bands of a man.
Comfortless soul - look not into yourself, at your duties, or at your circumstances for comfort; but look unto the Lord, he is "the God of all comfort." He comforts . . . by his word, by his ordinances, by his presence, by his servants, and by his Spirit.
He always has means at hand to convey comfort to the mind. Never expect to be happy - but as you live at the fountain-head of true comfort. Comfort from other quarters - is wine mixed with water, if not with poison! "Cease from men!" Turn away from self! Look away from all things below-and live at the throne of your God! He will comfort you seasonably, judiciously, and effectually; and keep you from idolizing your comforts, to the dishonor of himself.
Let your mind be taken up more with the God of comfort - than with the comforts of God. Trace up the streams of comfort to the fountain - and there pitch your tent and abide. He will comfort you as the prudent mother does her child, as the kind bridegroom does his bride, as the sympathizing friend does his afflicted companion. The comforts he gives are both sanctifying and satisfying. His comforts . . . endear himself, make us in love with holiness, and crucify us to the present world. His comforts direct and fix the affections on things above, "where Christ sits on the right hand of God," where; "You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore!" His comforts . . . enlarge the heart, nerve the soul, and fire the affections - making us to run in the way of his commandments with an enlarged heart.
Believer, keep this view of your God before the eye of your faith, make it the serious meditation, and exercise your mind upon it frequently! The honor of God, the maintenance of your tranquility, and your activity in God’s ways - greatly depend upon it. May the God of all comfort allow you to enjoy the infinite variety of his comforts! When earthly comforts die, And thorns overspread the road;
Where, oh, where shall I fly, But unto you my God! When anxious thoughts arise, And sorrows compass round;
Amid ten thousand enemies, In you my help is found!
Then at your feet I’ll bow, And in your mercy trust;
If I am saved, how good are thou! And if I perish, just!
Perish! it cannot be, Since Jesus shed his blood; The promise is both rich and free, And he will make it good!