How the Scriptures Comfort Believers.
By M. E. P.
How precious to the believer are some of the apostles’ words that breathe a spirit of trust and confidence in God. There are times when the full soul seems pressed beyond measure, and, opening the sacred word, the eye rests upon some passage that is peculiarly fitting in its nature to bring consolation and peace. It is not that the words are new; we have read and heard them read over and over again; they are familiar to our ears; but the Spirit now bears witness with our spirit that these words of comfort are for us. This is the work of the blessed Comforter that Jesus promised to send to all those who should believe on him, even the spirit of truth, of which it is said, “He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16:14. Thus are the Scriptures made effectual in bringing us into closer fellowship with God the Father and Christ his dear Son. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4. A part of the work of the Spirit is to comfort believers. When perplexed and troubled with earth’s cares, we read of Paul’s experience in the same, but that he was not distressed, nor in despair, not forsaken, nor yet destroyed; and we feel that our own afflictions are so light in comparison with the ancient worthies that we can only look upward, even through the blinding tears, and rejoice that our tribulation is but for a moment, and is not worthy to be compared with the exceeding great and precious reward; for which cause we faint not. “Though our outward man perish,” or the things external might cause us to be faint-hearted or to disbelieve, “yet the inward man is renewed day by day,” “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” 2 Cor. 4:18. Not disappointed because things temporal do not afford the happiness we might desire, we look forward in the blessed hope of being partaker in the endless joys of eternal life. Oh, the glorious thought! But for this, the heart would faint; but with the prize in view, we can struggle on a little longer. May we so strive that the day of God may not find us unprepared.