Does God Care?

by Communicated by J.P.A.T. | Category: General | Nov 1960

TIMELY COMFORT IN DISTRESS

Recovering from a malady that had brought on an attack of depression, I was left with a feeling of inability either to pray or to read my Bible.

One could think of so many others in sadder circumstances who were bright witnesses to the grace of God in the midst of adversity This only made me feel worse. I felt alone and useless, my whole life a failure, with little to show for the many years of grace.

Suddenly I seemed to hear an echoing Voice, though not addressed to me, saying, " Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God." I had known what it was to be challenged to comfort others, but now I found myself as one of those included in the words, "My people," the ones to be comforted, and I became aware that God was calling for a comforter, even for me. How kind! I did not merit it, my faith was failing. I could almost have uttered the words of the Psalmist, "How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" (Psalm 73.11). Could He really care when I seemed so indifferent? In a letter received only that morning from a very young disciple, a mother of two young children, she said, "Every day I am enjoying Christ." What radiance, what joy was hers ! Would I have had it otherwise ? Of course not ! Yet I had known the Lord so very much longer, but who could have believed it had they known my innermost feelings? I hoped -none might realize it. Yet there was One above "Who understandeth all things." "Thou understandest my thought afar off." While I was brooding, my heavenly Father spoke to another of His children far away, thousands of miles across the sea, about my need. No, there was no wireless message sent. Our Father needs neither wireless nor television. But into the heart of a dear christian friend God put an urgent desire to send me a letter to cheer me. (I was not expecting a letter.)

He wrote, "This morning (just as I was brooding) you have been in my thoughts especially. Perhaps you need comfort and help. If there is any comfort in Christ.' Ah ! there it is, comfort in Christ ! ' Come unto Me and I will give you ... ' all that your spirit and soul cry out for at this present time."

Two days later when I received this letter I bowed in silent adoration before the One, who knowing my heart's need had sent an urgent message to one far away to send comfort. How kind! How wonderful! The comfort of God through Jesus Christ! So personal! So tender! "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you" (Isaiah 66.13). "Who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Corinthians 1.4).

Communicated by J.P.A.T. | Nov 1960
General