Words of Consolation

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Endeavor to possess your soul in patience, and gather support and consolation from the thought, that the Lord has a gracious and merciful object in all His dealings with you; and then call to mind that encouraging declaration, "No chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby." A young man who had long been confined to his home with a diseased limb and was near death — was attended by a friend who requested that the wound might be uncovered. This being done, the young man said, "There it is, and a precious treasure it has been to me! It has saved me from the folly and vanity of youth. It has made me cleave to God as my only portion, and to eternal glory as my only hope — and I think it has now brought me very near my Father's home." Thus death loses its terror, to the soul that trusts in Jesus. Such a trust brings a fullness of grace in the soul, showing itself in holy constancy, and in a calm, restful spirit, which says, "We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands!" 2 Corinthians 5:1 As the late Professor Hope was lying on his dying bed, and just before he breathed his last, after saying, 'My work is done — the pins of the tabernacle are taken out,' he began to repeat the lines — 'A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, On Your kind arms I fall,' when his power of utterance seemed to fail. His sorrow-stricken wife finished the stanza thus — 'O be my strength and righteousness, My Jesus, and my all.' Thus the believer rests on his Savior, and finds comfort in His presence while passing through the dark valley of the shadow of death. 4 of 28
It may be that your Heavenly Father sees sin in your heart, and is seeking to purify you by chastisement — but "He does not afflict willingly." His purpose is to draw you away from earth's fading joys, towards the unfading joys of Heaven. Let your prayer then ever be "Search me, O God, and try my heart. Try me and know my thoughts, and see whether there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Perhaps, my reader, you are unconverted — if so, has this trial of Sickness softened your heart? Has it led you to reflect on your past life, and to prepare for eternity? Remember "there is no repentance in the grave, nor pardon offered to the dead." Oh! then, accept the mercy that is offered you through faith in Jesus. Without a changed heart, all your sick-bed vows will be forgotten, and your best resolutions fail you. A change of heart can alone fit you for the purity and bliss of Heaven. SCRIPTURE READINGS "Wearisome nights are appointed to me; when I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day." Job 7:3, 4 "O Lord, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction." Jeremiah 16:19 "Remember the word unto Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction — for Your word has quickened me." Psalm 119:49, 50 "Thus says the Lord, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears — behold I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5 5 of 28
Page 1 and 2: 1 of 28
Page 3: Are You Sick? The trial of sickness
Page 7 and 8: Darkness comes over me — My rest
Page 9 and 10: A lady who had just sat down to bre
Page 11 and 12: SCRIPTURE READING "When the poor an
Page 13 and 14: Are You Perplexed? There once lived
Page 15 and 16: A traveler in Switzerland was summo
Page 17 and 18: HYMN. 'Is this the way, my Father?'
Page 19 and 20: "Everything seems to have melted aw
Page 21 and 22: the brokenhearted, to comfort all w
Page 23 and 24: They are not lost, but gone before.
Page 25 and 26: "O that our faith could firmly hold
Page 27 and 28: Be hushed, my dark spirit, the wors

Words of Consolation

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