October 4
The Continual Burnt Offering" B lessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
The God of all comfort! How our troubled hearts respond to such words as these. He has revealed Himself in the cross as the God of all grace meeting every need of our souls when distressed by a sense of guilt. Now He makes Himself known as the source of all consolation when we are troubled by the sorrows of the way and in danger of being cast down because of burdens that seem too heavy to bear. It is noteworthy that every person of the Holy Trinity is engaged in this gracious ministry. Here it is the Father who is the God of all comfort. Both the Son and the Spirit are designated as Comforters. The word for “Advocate” in 1 John 2:1 is the same as that which the Lord uses in John, chapters 14 to 16, when speaking of the Holy Spirit, who is “another Comforter” (kjv). It is for God’s tried saints to find their solace in Him and so to share with others the comfort He gives.
Be comforted! In God thy comfort lies!
If He doth pain, He also would console;
The anodyne which soothes—just He supplies;
He, He alone, the wounded can make whole.
The word is His! Nor will it mock nor fail!
Be comforted! Let Him thy comfort be;
Balm for all pain, and light for loneliest vale,
Himself the peace, the joy, the company.
—J. Danson Smith