Comfort for the Discouraged
By W. Gatchel
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: I feel unworthy to say anything through the columns of the REVIEW; but as my heart has often been cheered and comforted by your testimonies, I feel willing to bear some humble part in trying to be a source of comfort and consolation to others; and if I can say anything to cheer the lonely, or add a word of consolation for the sick and afflicted, or the sorrowing ones, or such as are cast down through manifold temptations, or feel unworthy to be numbered with the people of God, I shall be fully rewarded for my feeble efforts. I have often felt if I could compose as others can, it would be a pleasure to me to write; but I have this to encourage me: "'Twas the broken bread that fed the multitude." How often have the tears welled up in my eyes when I have heard the young convert speak for the first time. Though his language might be feeble and broken, yet it would touch a well-spring in my heart that would cause the waters to gush forth. I have often wept during my pilgrimage; sometimes for joy, and sometimes through sorrow of heart. Many times I have wet my couch with tears when I have had a view of the low estate of Zion, and thought how the law of God has been trampled upon with impunity. Ofttimes I feel unworthy to be numbered with the people of God when I see my own frailty and liability to err, and that there is no good thing about me to recommend me to his favor. At such times, this heart-cheering promise has been held up to my view: "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isa. xliii, 25. I have suffered much from bodily infirmities, and have passed through many trials, and been sorely afflicted for many years, and still I am an invalid, afflicted with pain and disease, and though I may still have to suffer, I have these words to comfort me: "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Isa. xlviii, 10. Oh! may the refining process go on until his image is fully reflected in me; and if our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, only work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, how happy we shall be. Our afflictions are truly light compared with some in ancient times. "Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James v, 10, 11. Then let us learn this lesson: To be patient in tribulation, and let patience possess our souls, and let it have its perfect work. Job passed through more than is common to the lot of man; yet it is said of him, In all this, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. What infinite goodness that God should bestow upon a fallen race such a legacy as his precious word to guide our feet into his testimonies, and to encourage us in every situation in life to trust in him! What encouragement we have to run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. A few days since, as I was reading some remarks on the book of Psalms from the pen of Bro. Waggoner, it touched a cord in my heart that made him seem very near to me. Though I have never seen him, yet I was led to exclaim, May the Lord bless and sustain him in all his labors of love. While I was reading this sentence, "First I was led to wonder that my own feelings and experience in sorrow were so well described therein," I could rejoice that the experience of Christians is so similar that when they expressed the dealings of God with them, it would unite their hearts in the bonds of love, though they may never have seen each other. May we all so act our part that we may prove a blessing to one another. The book of Psalms has been a source of consolation to me for many years; and in whatever condition we may be placed, we may find comfort from that book. When the wicked who have their portion in this life, oppose, we can look up and say, "As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness." Ps. xvii, 15. And if we have done wrong, and have offended our Maker, and feel that he is angry with us, then these words are sweet to us: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning." Ps. xxx, 5. The Psalms have words of hope and comfort for us, 1. When in trouble: "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Ps. xxxiv, 17. 2. In affliction: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Ps. xxxiv, 19. 3. When sick: "The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing. Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Ps. xli, 3. 4. When we are weak: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble." Ps. xlvi, 1. 5. When grief and sorrow weigh heavily upon us: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." Ps. lv, 22. 6. When the enemy presses upon us, and fear is on every side: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." Ps. lvi, 3. 7. When we are brought into a strait place, and our way seems to be hedged up, and we know not which way to move for fear we shall go wrong: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Ps. xxvii, 5, 6. 8. In darkness: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. cxix, 105. 9. In every situation of life, whether in sickness or health, poverty or wealth, if we live near the Lord, his word will be sweet unto us, and we can say in truth, "Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it." Ps. cxix, 140. 10. When we feel that we are drawing nigh unto death, and soon must be laid in the narrow confines of the tomb, then in the triumphs of faith we may say, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall receive me." Ps. xlix, 15. Oh! may I be cleansed from every unholy thing, that the love of God may abound in my heart, and I be enabled by his grace to keep all his commandments, and the faith of Jesus, that Jesus may be glorified in my salvation, and I be his when he comes to make up his jewels.