"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 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, 

"Do not be afraid, for 
I AM with you!"  

What a thought is this! 
GOD, the great, the glorious, 
the omnipotent Jehovah--
is with me!


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 for evermore,
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

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems have published J.R. Miller's insightful short article, 
"The Blessing of Quietness".