p. 543 | WE ARE COMFORTED by S. J. G. Thayer

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 6, 1883

WE ARE COMFORTED.

By S. J. G. Thayer

BY S. J. G. THAYER.

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” Isa. 40:1. “And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” John 14:16.

THE time is dark and perilous, and dangers press around, Far as our vision reaches, great evils do abound. The restless, cheerless present, with all its wants and woes, Is but a faithful mirror, the future to disclose. As first-fruits to the harvest, or gleanings when its o'er, So is the world’s commotion but drops which come before The heavy pouring shower; the storm is just ahead; But Jehovah is our refuge—and we are comforted.

Our path is marked out for us—a bright and shining way; It leads up from the darkness to everlasting day. It’s neither smooth nor flow’ry, and thorns may pierce our feet; But if we’re faint and weary, the resting will be sweet. Perchance some heavy cross must needs be borne along, And, though our hearts are aching, some soul-inspiring song May soothe some other heartache—may lift some drooping head; Then let us do what good we can, for we are comforted.

The little child, when starting upon the untried way, Finds comfort in the sunshine, among the flowers, at play. When he has felt the stinging of nettles 'mong the flowers, And mother heals the little heart—it’s sunshine after showers. So we are comforted to-day; Jesus has healed our woes; He takes the pains upon himself, and gives our hearts repose, Whatever ills beset our way, where’er we’re called to tread Though dark and deep the waters be—still we are comforted.

We part with those who love us—to whom our hearts are bound— We close their eyes in silence, and lay them in the ground. Oh, who shall tell the anguish of every mourning heart, Or paint the dreary loneliness when from the loved we part? And yet in all this darkness there comes a gleam of light; We scarce can see for weeping, so blinded in our sight; The Lord of life is coming—he comes to raise the dead; We lift to him our tearful eyes—and we are comforted.

Oh, there is many a heartache of which we may not tell, And brightest hopes are buried, without a tolling bell; And tears are shed in silence, and pains too deep for tears Are borne without complaining, through long and dreary years. But in it all and through it all, we see the guiding hand; Above the boiling crucible behold the Saviour stand. And if ’tis through the wilderness our weary feet must tread, We only follow where he leads—and we are comforted.

But whence comes all this comfort, this balm for every grief? Where the unfailing fountain that ever brings relief? And is there on life’s desert—this dreary tangled wild— A cheering bright oasis for every longing child? Yes, all can find by seeking, the never failing spring— Free as the air we’re breathing—if we our idols bring And lay them down at Jesus’ feet, and follow him instead. There is no woe he cannot reach; we shall be comforted.

O, Comforter divinely sent! O Presence from above! Visit thy waiting people, and fill them with thy love. O, Sun of Righteousness arise, with healing in thy wings, Attract to thee our downcast eyes, whence all our comfort springs. Light up our darkened vision, our foolish hearts make wise; And make our light affliction a blessing in disguise. Oh come, we wait to welcome, for thou hast surely said Thy waiting, trusting people, shall all be comforted.

Joy cometh in the morning—the night is almost o’er; And in the restitution, that bright eternal shore, They that have sown with weeping shall reap an endless bliss, And, in the blessings of that home, forget the griefs of this. And so our hearts are joyous, the wormwood and the gall Are sweetened by the presence of him who says that all, Yes all, shall work together for good to those who tread The pathway of the righteous—and we are comforted.