“Consolation.”
There is music in the word: like David's harp, it charms away the evil spirit of melancholy.
It was a distinguished honour to Barnabas to be called “the son of consolation”;
nay, it is one of the illustrious names of a greater than Barnabas,
for the Lord Jesus is “the consolation of Israel.”
“Everlasting consolation” — here is the cream of all,
for the eternity of comfort
is the crown and glory of it.
There is music in the word: like David's harp, it charms away the evil spirit of melancholy.
It was a distinguished honour to Barnabas to be called “the son of consolation”;
nay, it is one of the illustrious names of a greater than Barnabas,
for the Lord Jesus is “the consolation of Israel.”
“Everlasting consolation” — here is the cream of all,
for the eternity of comfort
is the crown and glory of it.
What is this “everlasting consolation”?
It includes a sense of pardoned sin.
A Christian man has received in his heart the witness of the Spirit that his iniquities are put away like a cloud, and his transgressions like a thick cloud.
If sin be pardoned, is not that an everlasting consolation?
Next, the Lord gives his people an abiding sense of acceptance in Christ.
The Christian knows that God looks upon him as standing in union with Jesus.Union to the
risen Lord is a consolation of the most abiding order; it is, in fact,
everlasting.
Let sickness prostrate us,
have we not seen hundreds of believers as happy in the weakness of disease
as they would have been in the strength of hale and blooming health?
Let death's arrows pierce us to the heart,
our comfort dies not, for have not our ears full often heard
the songs of saints as they have rejoiced
because the living love of God was shed abroad in their hearts in dying moments?
Yes, a sense of acceptance in the Beloved is an everlasting consolation.
Moreover, the Christian has a conviction of his security.
God has promised to save those who trust in Christ: the Christian does trust in Christ, and he believes that God will be as good as his word, and will save him.
He feels that he is safe
by virtue of his being bound up
with the person and work of Jesus.
It includes a sense of pardoned sin.
A Christian man has received in his heart the witness of the Spirit that his iniquities are put away like a cloud, and his transgressions like a thick cloud.
If sin be pardoned, is not that an everlasting consolation?
Next, the Lord gives his people an abiding sense of acceptance in Christ.
The Christian knows that God looks upon him as standing in union with Jesus.
Let sickness prostrate us,
have we not seen hundreds of believers as happy in the weakness of disease
as they would have been in the strength of hale and blooming health?
Let death's arrows pierce us to the heart,
our comfort dies not, for have not our ears full often heard
the songs of saints as they have rejoiced
because the living love of God was shed abroad in their hearts in dying moments?
Yes, a sense of acceptance in the Beloved is an everlasting consolation.
Moreover, the Christian has a conviction of his security.
God has promised to save those who trust in Christ: the Christian does trust in Christ, and he believes that God will be as good as his word, and will save him.
He feels that he is safe
by virtue of his being bound up
with the person and work of Jesus.
“Now our Lord
Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath
given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your
hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”
II Thessalonians 2:16-17
II Thessalonians 2:16-17
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