Comfort in suffering

 

Comfort in Suffering

We often know of dear ones who are ill and in much pain,

And long so much to see them all completely well again

In the past, or even now we know trials and suffering too,

And understand how hard it is to bravely battle through.

Life is so busy, and each day seems difficult and long,

It's load is heavy when we are not feeling well and strong.

But what comfort through God’s Word we shall surely find,

As we bring those precious promises of His to mind.

He will not give us more than we are given grace to bear,

No matter what our pain and trials, we’re safe within His care.

Our great High Priest so faithful, knew at Calvary,

The deepest depths of suffering, that we might be set free.

Thus with our pain and sorrow He can truly sympathize,

His ordering of everything is always kind and wise.

His ways though now they seem to us hard to understand,

One day we’ll see that all so lovingly by Him was planned.

When sorrows past and all our tears are wiped away,

And we behold His precious face in the realms of endless day

                                                         S Hirst

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according 

to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by 

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

To an inheritance incorruptible, 

and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 

ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, 

ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  

That the trial of your faith, 

being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, 

though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour 

and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye

love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, 

ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”    1 Peter 1:3

(Years ago this little poem was written for a very dear suffering friend )

Prayer for a Suffering Friend

"Dear Lord, a precious child of Thine

Is truly much distressed,

Suffering with dreadful pain,

Which makes it hard to rest.

In this sad trial, so wearying,

Please Lord, yourself reveal,

Refresh her soul, and strengthen faith

Your peace Lord, may she feel.

Lord Jesus, when you walked this earth,

You did our troubles know,

And in this dark and fallen world,

Such sympathy did show.

Exalted now in heaven on high ,

Lord, you art still the same.

With confidence I bring my friend

And call upon your name.

Thus as I bring her Lord do I

With deepest thanks look up,

Thy grace will bring her safely through,

And sweeten the bitter cup."

Cast thy burden upon the  Lord, and he shall sustain you

Psalm 55:22

With Loving sympathy

"My dear one how my heart goes out to you in your dark trial,

I'm longing to be with you, and to help you there a while.

Just put my arms around you, to show I deeply care,

Support you in your weakness, loving sympathy to share.

And though I cannot do this, for I am far away.

I know our God will answer fervent prayer for you each day.

He's promised NOT to leave us. and I know it to be true,

He who gives us grace in death gives grace for living too.

Grace to help you face each day, so full of trials and distress,

Together, we look up to Him and trust His faithfulness.

Whatever pain and suffering that days ahead may bring.

I pray you will know victory, and still His praises sing.

Look for His shining rainbow against the darkening sky

I know He will support you, for He hears our fervent cry.

May He grant you such a vision of His beauty and His love,

Through His precious Holy Word. send comfort from above.

So once again I just commit you to His tender care.

With heart at peace and reassured, I rest, and leave you there.

We look for a sweet meeting, 'midst heaven's of joy and peace,

Where nothing harmful can be found and praises never cease."

Shirley Hirst

"My presence shall go with thee,

and I will give thee rest"

Leaning on this promise

How can one but be blessed,

With quiet and calm assurance,

Resting in God's perfect plans;

Safe now and for ever

In His loving hands” 

Shirley Hirst

“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death,

 neither sorrow, nor crying,  neither shall there be any more pain:

 for the former things are passed away.”    Revelation 21:4

“God’s providence will not take us 

where His grace will not keep us”