27. The afflicted one takes comfort at the thought of the help of God

EXHORTATION.

"I lift up mine eyes to the hills, whence my help cometh. My help cometh from the Lord, who has made the heavens and the earth."—Psalms cxxi. 1, 2 To be without resource in trouble and distress, is even worse than the affliction itself. But such can never be the state of the believer. 1. God can help him.

2. God will help him.

3. God has often helped in times gone by.

4. The afflicted must await such assistance with prayer and sighs, with hope and confidence; for what the Lord has promised he will certainly fulfil; let his word be more credited than the misgivings of your heart. 5. Even when the afflicted do not see how help is possible, they should remember that God can do far more than we may ask or understand; he 16*

THE AFFLICTED ONE TAKES COMFORT will be their help, their Father, their Comforter, and their assistance. It is even a boon of God that he alleviates our sorrows by time and oblivion.

When I am afflicted, I think of God. O, where else shall I turn, of whom else shall I think, in my cares and sufferings, but of thee, my God! O thou hast never yet permitted me to leave thy most holy presence with a sorrowful heart. O therefore, hear this my prayer, hearken to the voice of my cry, my King and my God! and when I call, do thou hear me. The evil I suffer was sent by thy hand; so canst thou in thy mercy deliver me again. Thou, Lord! Lord!

dost slay and make alive, thou leadest down into hell and up again. Thou, Lord, makest rich and poor, thou dost lower and exalt. Thou dost lift the needy from the dust, and elevate the poor from want, therefore, I say unto thee trustingly, Lord, help me. Thou hast said, Before they call, I will answer, and while they yet speak, I will answer, my heart is breaking for thee, and I must have mercy upon thee: therefore, I will not prescribe the time for thee to deliver me. Strengthen my faith by thy Holy Spirit; strengthen my faith, my hope, my confidence; give me patience and strength to bear AT THE THOUGHT OF THE HELP OF GOD.

my troubles. O my Father! thou hast never for saken any one, forsake not me; thou hast always rejoiced the afflicted, rejoice me also; thou hast assisted the wretched, assist me also; when where, and as thou wilt, that all shall be according to thy wisdom, love, goodness and mercy. Be thou at peace, O my soul; why art thou sad and so disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet thank him, that he is the help of my countenance and my God. Lord Jesus Christ! great is the load under which I sink; O help me, dear God and Lord, sleep not, but be aroused. There is no one who can help me, no creature can assist me, and none to whom I may complain. Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my trust is in thee, thou art the real throne of grace; whoever counts upon thee will be safe in all affliction; thou wilt help him in life and in death. Amen.

1. Am I left thus unbefriended

In my bitter cross and woe?

Is no helping hand extended,

Comfort shall I never know?

O my God, where art thou now,

When affliction does me bow?

Whither shall I turn to find him?

Has he left no trace behind him?

THE AFFLICTED ONE TAKES COMFORT

2. If thou pitiest not my anguish,

Bear in mind I am thy child;

Let me not, forgotten, languish

In my woes, so fierce and wild.

Nothing more it is I seek

Than what thou didst freely speak:

But to give thy word fulfilment

Will be comfort's best instilment.

3. Yet, what will these tears avail me,

God would only try my faith;

That it never more may fail me

In afflictions or in death.

Though he seem to wander far,

He is still my guiding star;

His uncircumscribed affection

Cannot niggard its protection.

4. Then my trust shall never totter,

Though my hopes grow less and less

Scalding tears, prayers, hot and hotter,

Shall come forth at each distress.

He, my sufferings understands,

I, the prowess of his hands,

Which can turn my grief to pleasure,

And relieve me beyond measure.

5 I with God, in faith will wrestle,

As each true believer ought;

In his love my heart shall nestle,

All is good as he has wrought.

Though, at times I feel his rod,

He is still my loving God;

And his sacred word discloses

All is well as he disposes.

AT THE THOUGHT OF THE MERCY OF GOD.