Comfort for Christians Annotated

The work unto which the servant of Christ is called is many-sided. Not
only is he to preach the Gospel to the unsaved, to feed God's people
with knowledge and understanding (Jer 3:15), and to take up the
stumbling stone out of their way (Isa. 57:14), but he is also charged
to "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My
people their transgression" (Isa 58:1 and cf. 1 Tim 4:2). While another
important part of his commission is stated in, "Comfort ye, My people,
said your God" (Isa 40:1). What an honourable title, "My people!" What
an assuring relationship: "your God!" What a pleasant task: "comfort ye
My people!" A threefold reason may be suggested for the duplicating of
the charge. First, because sometimes the souls of believers refuse to
be comforted (Psa 77:2), and the consolation needs to be repeated.
Second, to press this duty the more emphatically upon the preacher's
heart, that he need not be sparing in administering cheer. Third, to
assure us how heartily desirous God himself is that His people should
be of good cheer (Phil 4:4). God has a "people," the objects of His
special favour: a company whom He has taken into such intimate
relationship unto Himself that He calls them "My people." Often they
are disconsolate: because of their natural corruptions, the temptations
of Satan, the cruel treatment of the world, the low state of Christ's
cause upon earth. The "God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1:3) is very tender
of them, and it is His revealed will that His servants should bind up
the broken-hearted and pour the balm of Gilead into their wounds. What
cause have we to exclaim "Who is a God like unto Thee!" (Micah 7:18),
who has provided for the comfort of those who were rebels against His
government and transgressors of His Law.

The contents of this little volume have appeared from time to time in
our monthly magazine during the last thirty years. They were,
previously, sermons which we preached long ago in the U.S.A. and
Australia. Here and there is an expression (especially where Prophecy
is touched upon) that we would not use today; but since the Lord was
pleased to bless them in their original form to not a few of His
distressed people, we have not revised them. May it please Him to speak
peace by them to afflicted souls today, and the glory shall be His
alone.
The work unto which the servant of Christ is called is many-sided. Not
only is he to preach the Gospel to the unsaved, to feed God's people
with knowledge and understanding (Jer 3:15), and to take up the
stumbling stone out of their way (Isa. 57:14), but he is also charged
to "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My
people their transgression" (Isa 58:1 and cf. 1 Tim 4:2). While another
important part of his commission is stated in, "Comfort ye, My people,
said your God" (Isa 40:1). What an honourable title, "My people!" What
an assuring relationship: "your God!" What a pleasant task: "comfort ye
My people!" A threefold reason may be suggested for the duplicating of
the charge. First, because sometimes the souls of believers refuse to
be comforted (Psa 77:2), and the consolation needs to be repeated.
Second, to press this duty the more emphatically upon the preacher's
heart, that he need not be sparing in administering cheer. Third, to
assure us how heartily desirous God himself is that His people should
be of good cheer (Phil 4:4). God has a "people," the objects of His
special favour: a company whom He has taken into such intimate
relationship unto Himself that He calls them "My people." Often they
are disconsolate: because of their natural corruptions, the temptations
of Satan, the cruel treatment of the world, the low state of Christ's
cause upon earth.