It Is I, Be Not Afraid
God comforts us by taking our troubles and replacing them with His loving presence.
A.B. Simpson illustrates how God's love comforts us similarly to a child finding solace in a mother's embrace. Just as a child forgets their troubles in the warmth of maternal affection, we too can find peace in God's presence, which reassures us with the words 'It Is I, be not afraid.' Although our circumstances may remain unchanged, God's love fills our hearts and satisfies our needs, allowing us to forget our fears and doubts. In His presence, we exchange our sorrows for joy and comfort, breathing in His peace and rest.
Text
A little child with a tale of woe on his heart flies to his mother's arms for comfort-intending to tell her the whole story of his trouble. But as soon as that mother takes the child in her arms and expresses her love, the child becomes so occupied with her and the sweetness of her affection that he forgets to tell his story, and in a little while even the memory of the trouble is forgotten. It has just been loved away and the mother has taken its place in the heart of her child. In this same manner, God comforts us. It is I, be not afraid is His reassuring word.
The circumstances are not altered, but He Himself comes in their place and satisfies our every need, and we forget all things in His gracious presence as He becomes our all in all.
I am breathing out my sorrow On Thy kind and loving breast; Breathing in Thy joy and comfort, Breathing in Thy peace and rest. I am breathing out my longings In Thy listening, loving ear; I am breathing in Thy answer, Stilling every doubt and fear.
Sermon Outline
- God's Comforting Presence
- A Mother's Love
- Forgetting Troubles in Love
- God's Love Takes Priority
Key Quotes
“It has just been loved away and the mother has taken its place in the heart of her child.” — A.B. Simpson
“I am breathing out my sorrow On Thy kind and loving breast;” — A.B. Simpson
“I am breathing in Thy joy and comfort, Breathing in Thy peace and rest.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We can experience God's comfort by expressing our love and trust in Him and allowing His presence to fill our hearts.
- God's love and presence become more important and satisfying than our troubles, causing us to forget our worries.
- We can breathe in God's peace and rest by trusting in His loving presence and letting go of our sorrows.