Comfort Me, O Lord; The Journey Is Too Hard Series

In the past, very especially on one occasion the only personal relief and comfort I could get came from the Psalms. They addressed my problems over and over. I think this is all connected with the word “meditiate” as we just let our eyes and souls be fixed on what God has written to us for our comfort. Allow God to minister to you. As I said, that is half the story. The second part is comfort from others. We must all be aware of those in need, those who hurt, and go out of our way to comfort them.

Do you think it was inconvenient for the Good Samatitan to draw near to that man to help him? I would say, “Yes, it was inconvenient because it slowed his own journey and cost him time and some money.” Is there a lesson in all this? Yes, there is. Let that lesson apply to each of us. We serve others not ourselves – that is the Christian example Jesus set for us.

My fellow Christians, you yourselves, must learn to rely on the God of comfort who comfortes Mary and Martha at the tomd, and showed compassion to all those who were hurt and suffering. Then you must minister to the hurting and those who truly need comfort.

ONE LAST PLEA. Do not give false hope at a funeral. Do not say the loved one is with the Lord when you know he is not. Of course you can’t say the alternative but use that time to comfort the bereaving ones. You can do that honestly without directly giving false hope concerning the one who has died.

Let us close with a poem I tried to write to accompany this message.

COMFORT COMFORT ME

The Lord knows us, the trouble we have along the way.

Wrap Your great arms of comfort around my life to stay.

Your tender care, I need all that to be my support.

In all my hurt, here let your healing mercies be wrought.

Who is like You, the God of love who lifts the ailing,

For from despair, Your comfort wings are never failing.

Comfort, comfort, wrap my life up in your tenderness;

O listen Lord, I am hurting in this wilderness.

I’ve lost my way, dejected, a soldier all forlorn,

And here I lie, for from the dust of earth I was born.

Your intentions, by love each one is motivated.

Now in my life, let your comfort be cultivated.

“Comfort, comfort, my people,” Isaiah wrote long past.

The Messiah will pour out that comfort that is vast.

All His people will know peace and joy when Christ appears.

He is the One whose comfort will banish all our fears.

In my sorrow I look to One who lifts the burden.

In my sadness I know to me the Lord will hasten.

In my despair, there is One closer than a brother.

In all my fears His comfort compares with none other.

His Name is this – Mighty God, The Lord of All Comfort.

Only in Him will be realised mankind’s true support

Come now to Him, all you who hurt and are bashed about,

God of Comfort, come to Him in your turmoil and doubt.

12 October 2022 Ron Ferguson 13-13-13-13 A-A-B-B

Poem is copyright but can be used with acknowledgement.