When will You comfort me?

Posted : 24 May, 2013 02:15 AM

Psalm 119:82 My eyes fail for Your word, saying, When will You comfort me?





Though the believer may be enabled, in the habitual working

of faith, to sustain his hope in the word, yet "hope deferred

makes the heart sick." Still, Christian, as you value the

promise, trust the assurance. Do not be discouraged by

present appearances. The sunshine is behind the cloud. "The

vision is for an appointed time; though it tarry, wait for it." "The

Lord is not slack concerning His promise," but we are hasty in

looking for it. The failing of our eyes is the impatience of the

will, "limiting God" to our own time, ways, and means. Faith

may be exercised in not seeing His reasons-not being able to

harmonize His promises with His providences, or His outward

dispensations with His Divine perfections. But let us leave this

to Him, and be "still, and know that He is God." We shall find in the end, that perseverance in waiting has turned to double

advantage; and that even when the present answer to prayer,

and also sensible comfort and acceptance have been

withheld; yet that important blessings have been

accomplished, and the merciful purposes given in bringing the

wayward will into more entire subjection to Himself. Yes-the

blessing will be so much the sweeter, from being given in the

Lord's best time. Waiting time-whatever weariness may attend

it-is precious time, and not a moment of it will be lost. The

Lord secretly upholds faith and patience, so that every step of

feeble perseverance in the way brings with it unspeakable

delight. Even while our eyes fail for the fulfillment of the word,

peace is found in submission and joyful expectation; and

instead of a time of hardness, indolence, or carelessness, the

Lord's return is anticipated the more intensely, as His absence

had been felt to be the most painful trial. For as well might the

stars supply the place of the sun, as outward comforts, or

even the external duties of religion, supply to the waiting soul

the place of an absent God.

Never, however, let us forget, that the real cause of

separation between God and a sinner is removed. The way of

access is opened by the blood of Jesus; and in this way we

must be found waiting, until He look upon us. Here will our

cry-"When will You comfort me?" be abundantly answered;

and though the sovereignty of God be exhibited in the time

and measure of His consolations, yet the general rule will be-

"According to your faith, be it unto you."

But if unbelief clouds our comfort, turn the eye more simply to

the "word" as testifying of Jesus. Here alone is the ground of

comfort; and the more confidently we expect, the more

patiently we will look. Nor shall we ever look in vain. Sin will

be rebuked. But restoration and acceptance are assured. We

shall obtain-not the spurious comfort of delusion-but those

wholesome comforts, founded upon the word of promise, and connected with contrition, peace, love, joy, and triumph. The

gospel shows hell deserved, and heaven purchased thus

combining conviction and faith. Indeed, conviction without

faith, would be legal sorrow; as assurance without conviction

would be gospel presumption. Paul's experience happily

united both. Never was man at the same moment more

exercised with conflict, and yet more established in

assurance. Thus may we maintain our assurance as really in

wrestling trouble as in exulting joy; honoring the Lord by an

humble, patient spirit-in Bernard's resolution-'I will never come

away from You without You'-in the true spirit of the wrestling

patriarch-"I will not let You go, except You bless me."

But we sometimes seem to go "mourning without the sun,"-

"shut up, and we cannot come forth",-straitened in our desires

and expectations-doing little for the Lord-with little enjoyment

in our own souls, and little apparent usefulness to the Church.

At such seasons it is our clear duty and privilege to "wait upon

the Lord, that hides His face from the house of Jacob, and to

look for Him." "He waits that He may be gracious. He is a God

of Judgment; and blessed are all those who wait for Him." He

waits-not because He is reluctant to give, but that we may be

fitted to receive.



by

Charles Bridges

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