| We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. If we would give comfort and encouragement to others, we must first receive it ourselves from God. And before we can receive it, we must be in circumstances where we ourselves need comfort and encouragement. “God, that comforteth those that are cast down,” then “comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort” others “by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” For, being “comforted of God,” we are able to extend the “comfort of the Scriptures” to others. How very much God’s people need encouragement, exhortation and consolation. “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.” He desires “that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.” Our Lord came “to comfort all that mourn.” May He help us to know and impart the “comfort of love” and to “comfort yourselves together.” |
