GOD'S COMFORTS by R. W. Miller

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Apr 17, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 16.

GOD'S COMFORTS.

By R. W. Miller

A Thought for Thinking People, Ps. 94: 19.

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul."

DAVID was a thinking man, his literary productions show it, and they are accepted to-day by both believer and unbeliever as classical literature. If therefore his writings meet the ideals of men, so also should his judgment regarding fundamental truth be respected by them.

It was the valiant warrior, the learned poet, the sweet singer, and a great king who found more delight in God's comforts than in all the multitude of thoughts outside. We may not have the richness of thought that David had, but we can have that same comfort.

God's comforts are the things with which we are comforted. His encouragements and commendations to us, His promises,—in short, God's thoughts,—are our comforts, for words and deeds are simply the expression of thoughts. His thoughts are as high above our thoughts and ways as the heavens are above the earth. His thoughts toward His children are "thoughts of peace and not of evil," thoughts of kindness, mercy, and love. The heart of God yearns over the prodigal as well as the faithful.

It is not the subjugated or illogical and unreasoning mind which pays to God the highest form of worship; but it is the thinking mind, the mind full of thoughts and willing to reason. In the Scriptures the invitations to sinners are: "Come now, let us reason together;" "Consider your ways;" "Take heed;" "Let no man deceive you;" "Bring forth your strong reasons;" "Counsel;" "Think;" "What doth it profit?" "Inquire;" "Choose;" and the Lord has said His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. He does not command ignorance and slavery upon His subjects; but a full-hearted, willing service based upon consideration, good judgment, and due thought.

Men of God have always thought. Moses thought; he chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." His thinking led him to see that heaven is worth more than Egypt.

Paul thought of his position, wealth, and influence in Israel, but in his own words decided "what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ . . . that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection." David was a careful and cautious thinker, and in the multitude of his thoughts he found delight in the Lord's comforts.

God's comforting thoughts are sufficient to reach every individual; rich or poor, great or small, bond or free, no matter what his condition may be—

To the Sinner comes the sweet invitations of the Gospel story.

To the Heavy Hearted: "I will give you rest."

To the Backsliders: "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely."

To the Defrauded: "The cries of them . . . have entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts."

To the Mourners: "They shall be comforted."

To the Oppressed: "In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression."

To Those in Trouble: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

To the Afflicted: "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

To the Forsaken: "The Lord forsaketh not His saints." "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

To the Worker: Reward.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit." "Blessed are they that mourn." "Blessed are the meek." "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness." "Blessed are the merciful." "Blessed are the pure in heart." "Blessed are the peacemakers." "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake."

God's blessings comfort us all. Life is brighter if we accept them, and when on the verge of eternity worldly ambitions sink into the shadow and our powers slip from us, it is a comfort to have trust in God.

R. W. MILLER. South Pasadena, Cal.