26. PART II
EXHORTATIONS, PRAYERS AND HYMNS for the Afflicted.
The afflicted one is comforted at the thought of the omnipotence of God.
EXHORTATION.
"Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea,
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."—
Isaiah xli. 10.
If anything can cheer the heart of a true believer, it is the omnipotence of God; this is the anchor of the afflicted, to which they cling.
1. With God, nothing is impossible. No misery is so great but that God can end it, no burden so heavy but that he can take it off, no misfortune so severe but that he can avert it.
2. The afflicted one must bear in mind, that others have borne much heavier burdens than his own, and that God has relieved them nevertheless. Therefore, they should say, with joy,
THE AFFLICTED ONE IS COMFORTED AT THE
"O God! thou art as rich to day as thou hast ever been, my confidence is all in thee."
3. The afflicted must remember that the omnipotence of God knows no bounds, and must not let their courage sink, though they do not know how and by what means, and in what manner, they can be helped. "Your thoughts are not my thoughts, saith the Lord, nor are your ways my ways."—Isaiah lv. 8. This reflection must confirm the hope and confidence of the afflicted, inasmuch as they are assured that God can and will deliver them. They should therefore be at peace, hope, pray, trust in God, bear affliction patiently, and joyfully lift up their eyes to heaven, saying, "Our help cometh from the Lord, that made heaven and earth." Gracious and most merciful God! thou seest how my heart is filled with sorrow;—a stone which I cannot throw off, a load of affliction too heavy to be borne, presses me to the earth.—Therefore, I come to thee, almighty God! I pour out my heart into thy bosom, for thou art my refuge and my salvation. I cast my troubles from myself upon thee, and beseech thee to save and to assist me. The little bark, driven by fearful winds and waves, is held by the anchor; and so my soul clings to thee, thou living and
THOUGHT OF THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD.
almighty God. The timid roe pursued in the chase hastens to the mountains for deliverance, and I lift my eyes to thee, my Rock, my Rescuer, and mighty Defender! I will not despair, for I know that thou art an almighty God—thou canst help me. O send deliverance now, and I am helped; speak but a single word, and my help has come. O my God! I know that thou art merciful, and therefore I do most earnestly and devoutly beseech thee to have mercy on me, thy poor and afflicted child. Thou knowest my heart and art acquainted with my sorrows—thou hast laid this burden upon me, and wilt thou not also help me to bear it? Thou art a wise God, and wilt find ways and means to help me, of which I know nothing. O show me some well of consolation, as thou didst to Hagar in the wilderness. Promise me the assistance thou didst promise to the widow,—help me as thou didst help the deserted Elisha, and manifest thy goodness, as thou didst unto the imprisoned Peter. Break the bands of my affliction and distress, Lift up the light of thy countenance upon me, and give me thy peace. Hast thou not said, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee.”—Is. liv. 7, 8. I know thou THE AFFLICTED ONE TAKES COMFORT IN art a faithful God, and wilt not forsake me. I lie low at thy throne of grace; send me now help from thy holy place, and strength out of Zion. Lord, I will not let thee go, till thou bless me. Thou art my God and Father, and if thou dost not help me, to whom shall I go? I am thrown upon thine arms from my very birth, and until this day, those arms of love and mercy have been around and beneath me, and surely thou wilt not forsake me now. O God, hear my sighs and lamentations, and let me not entirely despair in my distress; thou readest my heart, thou knowest my pain; what thou hast imposed, thou wilt help me to sustain. Amen. The afflicted one takes comfort in calling to mind the love of God.
EXHORTATION.
"For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer."—Is. lxiv. 7, 8.
When affliction and distress overtake a believer, he can receive no better consolation than to be assured that God still loves him. For one of the first and severest temptations with which
CALLING TO MIND THE LOVE OF GOD.
Satan assails a troubled soul is th.s: God is your enemy—he loves you no longer—if he were still your friend would he afflict you and withdraw the light of his countenance from you, as he now does? To such suggestions, the afflicted believer must give no heed, but on the contrary, remember that God never leaves nor forsakes his children.
1. He should remember that to live in tribulation and yet to be a child of God, are entirely compatible; for Christ, the well beloved Son of the Father, suffered enough of trouble, and yet did not cease to be the Son of God.
2. Afflictions are not sent out of wrath, for our destruction or harm, but for our good, and are designed to teach us the goodness, power, wisdom, and faithfulness of God.
3. The love of God is active in our afflictions, to support, strengthen and comfort us—we are sometimes wonderfully quickened and rejoiced thereby, and our burdens are lightened,—all constituting so many proofs of love.
The Lord is with me, therefore I will not fear. Thou art my rock, my rampart, my salvation. Therefore, in my present distress, I sigh to thee, my God. O Lord! Lord! thou knowest my afflictions and the distress of my heart; but I
THE AFFLICTED ONE TAKES COMFORT know, also, that this affliction will not overpower me, if thou art with me. O do not longer conceal thy face from me! From my infancy thou hast crowned my life with loving-kindness and tender mercy: O let thine arms of love still be around me in my present tribulation. A lamb, when it is pursued, runs to its shepherd; a child, when it is frightened, goes to its father; therefore I come to thee, my Shepherd and my Father. Thou hast encouraged me to hope in thee, in thy blessed word;—“Fear thou not,” is thine own language, “for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” I will not leave thee nor forsake thee! And now, O gracious God! I am in trouble and need thy help—now thou wilt not forsake me. Enfold me in thine arms of love, hold me, that I may not sink. Quicken me in my sufferings; make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou has broken may rejoice. Show to me that love which thousands have experienced in their deliverance from trouble, that I may join with them to praise thy excellent name. O thou God of love! seal upon my heart this blessed truth, “that as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Faithful Father! see thy child is distressed; AT THE THOUGHT OF THE HELP OF GOD.
wilt thou not comfort me? While I live, I will gladly take up my cross and follow thee. Prepare my heart for this, my God! I am assured it is for my eternal peace. Amen.
