I Will Be Joyful In The GOD Of My Salvation!"

Do not be afraid, for I am with you!

(James Smith, "The Believer's Companion 

in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842)

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you!" 
Isaiah 43:5 

The presence of a friend in trouble 

is cheering and consoling. But it is 

too often the case, that our friends, 

like the friends of Job, prove to be 

miserable comforters. They either 

do not enter into our troubles--

or they cannot help us. The advice 

they give at times, only aggravates 

our woe, and adds to our distress.

But, believer, your GOD says, 

"I am with you!" 

What a thought is this! GOD, 

the great, the glorious, 

the omnipotent JEHOVAH--

is with me! 

HE is . . .

   with me to help me,

   with me to comfort me,

   with me to sanctify me,

   with me to save me,

   with me as a kind benignant FATHER,

   with me in every place, in every trouble, in every conflict,

   with me through all my journey and forevermore,

   with me on the bed of sickness,

   with me  to hold communion with me,

   with me to listen to my sighs,

   with me to number my tears, and

   with me to secure me from all injury!

Appearances may be very dark; 

the night may seem very long; and 

your pains, weakness, and fears 

may be many and great. 

Still, if the LORD is with you, 

you may sing, 

"Even though the fig trees have no 
blossoms, and there are no grapes 
on the vines; even though the olive crop 
fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; 
even though the flocks die in the fields, 
and the cattle barns are empty--
yet I will rejoice in the LORD! 
I will be joyful in the GOD of my 
salvation!" Habakkuk 3:17-18

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GraceGems has published Samuel Davies' very challenging article,
"Unseen Things to Be Preferred to Seen Things".