TRUE COMFORT

*Special Note. These are the first Seven of a Series of Twenty Sermons that Dr. Spence just recently preached in the Care Facilities. This is the Second Series of Sermons Dr. Spence has written and delivered since his move to North Dakota. The Series was delivered mainly during the Summer of 2025. As the Old Year ends and as the New Year begins, may GOD ALMIGHTY bless these Sermons and use them greatly to do good to souls! Who knows, O Reader, but what GOD will leave behind a Blessing for you as you "take and read" and send your thoughts along the channel of His Word?

Sermon I.

I INTEND this day, as GOD shall help me, to commence speaking to you a new Series of Sermons entitled True Comfort. The Text I select is Isaiah 40.1,2. The Words read: “Comfort ye, comfort ye My People, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” In this my First Sermon, there are three things. I. The Fact that in the Text True Comfort appears very desirable. II. The Truthfulness of this assertion. III. The Instructions that may be learned.

I. True Comfort appears very desirable. It is most apparent in the Text, that in the mind of the Prophet, he is aware he does not come to us with a repulsive subject. He knows he does not here speak Words that will scare away his hearers. On the contrary, the style, the structure, and even the similarities in his Words show that the Prophet is sensible that he comes speaking a subject that is very desirable. As far as content goes, there was no need for the First Verse. The same content is both repeated and expanded in Verse 2. Yet in Verse 1, for one thing, the Prophet speaks as he does signifying that True Comfort is mightily appealing. For the Prophet does not try to sell his subject. He simply speaks it. He says: “Comfort ye, comfort ye My People, saith your God.” As if to say: “That's right. You hear me correctly. Therefore I repeat it twice. I have comfort for you; and this comfort is from God.”

II. The Truthfulness of this assertion. Although the Prophet spoke these Words almost a thousand years before JESUS was born, the Truth of the Prophet's Words is just as true today as when they were first spoken. There is no doubt whatsoever that in the world today comfort is still a very desirable thing. For, first, you see this in your own heart. Why do you think certain thoughts? Not all thoughts, I confess. But certain thoughts. Specially those thoughts you love to think about. You return to thinking those thoughts that you find desirable. And why do you do certain things? Not all that you do. But some things. The very invention and existence of pastimes testifies that people tend to find a way to fit into the busy schedule of life things they find desirable. And when you leave your own heart, when you look out and observe the path of the world, it stands out that this is the common experience of the entire human race. This does not hold true in one town or two, but as far as the wide world stretches, just so far is this tendency, this spirit, this way of thinking in the human race. From day to day, the father goes to work because he is in quest of comfort. He wants comfort for himself. He wants his family to be comforted. When a real mother goes out into a new day, she, too, seeks comfort for herself and her household. When children have free time, it is usual that they involve themselves in pursuits they take comfort in. All which speaks that in this world, among all peoples of every country, among all peoples of every age, thinking about some form of comfort exhausts much thought. Nor is all this thinking isolated, but it works powerfully as an influencer of action. For all reach toward comfort with an eager hand. Comfort wields a singular attraction in every heart.

III. The Instructions that may be learned. From today's Sermon, there are Five Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is here is a summary of life. In today's Sermon, I showed that comfort is very desirable. The mere assertion has in it two things. There is trouble in this world. Or people would not seek comfort. There is comfort in this world. At least, the greater part of the human race not only think there is comfort in this world, but they judge it is near them and may be obtained by some degree of effort. These two things sum up much of the reality of human life. 2. The Second Instruction: Do not allow the troubles of life make you hopeless. I grant, the troubles of life are here. No man can deny them. According to Psalm 69.1,2, “the waters” of these troubles sometime “come into the [very] soul.” They are “deep waters.” “Floods” pour in with them. Yet although there is trouble in life and trouble sometimes “comes into the [very] soul,” still, you should not allow the troubles of life to make you hopeless. There is much cause for hope. Nor do I here labor to look on “the bright side.” For in the Text, GOD Himself says: “Comfort ye, comfort ye.” 3. The Third Instruction: See how GOD speaks to us. I will be the first to say that the human heart is not the Scripture. If the human heart were the Scripture, then there would be no need for the Scripture itself. At the same time, it is true that although the human heart is not the Scripture, yet when GOD speaks to us in the Scripture, GOD charms the human heart and draws it in. More than anyone else, GOD knows how to speak to us. In Hosea 11.4, it is said that GOD speaks to us with the “cords of a man.” That is to say, He seeks to incline the heart toward Him in a natural manner. In the Scripture, GOD does this with all the Subjects He speaks about. And GOD does this with comfort. He knows that we seek comfort. He knows that we suppose comfort to be a very desirable thing. Therefore in the matter of comfort, GOD makes use of the occasion to tenderly call out to us that we might come to Him. 4. The Fourth Instruction: There is Comfort in this world. For many, this is an evident Fact. I need not say anything more to them. But there are those who don't think there is comfort in this world. Years ago, when I began my Care Facility work, there was a Gentleman where I first preached who was exceeding bitter. When I came into the room merely to conduct the Church Service, although he did not know who I was, he shouted at me. He loudly left the room. Once this happened for two weeks, I told him as he left: “But I was hoping you would stay today. I'm preaching a good Sermon.” Although I could sense that the man was moved by what I said, he did not stay. The next week, however, he was waiting for me. As time went on, he turned to THE LORD. He became a faithful attendant to the Church Service. During this man's life, he had lost much. He used to think there was no comfort. But when he saw there was comfort and when he received comfort, his conduct changed. 5. The Fifth Instruction: True Comfort is found in GOD alone. In the Text, this Instruction is conspicuous. It shines in the very first Words. GOD says: “Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God.” One reason people do not have True Comfort and cannot find it is because they look in the wrong places. Whereas True Comfort is found in GOD alone. You must go to GOD for Comfort or you will miss it. There is no one Who lives such a comfortable Existence as GOD. GOD is full of Comfort. GOD abounds with Comfort. GOD has comfort to spare. Therefore He is styled in II Corinthians 1.3 as “the God of all comfort.” Amen.

Sermon II.

THE TEXT I take up into my hands today is Isaiah 40.1,2. The Words read: “Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.” In today's Sermon, I would have you to consider how GOD repeats Himself. In this consideration, there are two things. I. The Fact that GOD repeats Himself in the Text. II. GOD repeats Himself in Scripture.

I. The Fact that GOD repeats Himself in the Text. In the Text, GOD repeats Himself in the Words He says. I would have you to see it. In Verse 1, GOD says: “Comfort ye, comfort ye.” The Phrase “comfort ye” is repeated twice. In Verse 2, GOD says again: “Speak ye comfortably.” Which raises the number to three times some form of the Word “comfort” is used. So that all in all, in the short space of the Text (which is made up of only two Verses of Scripture), GOD repeats Himself three times.

II. GOD repeats Himself in Scripture. Yet I would have you to further note that what GOD does in the Text is not strange or singular. Throughout the Scripture, this is the way GOD often speaks to us. It pleases GOD in His Wisdom to repeat Himself. In Fact, GOD repeats Himself so often that if the entire list would be recited, it would easily burst the bounds of today's Sermon. Therefore allow me today to put before you some samples. Yet not samples merely, but signal samples that involve some of the most well-known Verses of Scripture.

In Exodus 32.19, Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of the Ten Commandments in his hands. Yet look what took place. On this occasion, the Jews had made themselves a god of gold. They were bowing down to it. When Moses beheld these things, it is said that “he cast the tables out of his hands and broke them.” Yet once some time passed, in Deuteronomy 10.2-5, Moses went up to GOD again. GOD wrote on two more tables of stone the Ten Commandments. In this matter, GOD repeated Himself. What He wrote before, He wrote again. In Isaiah 1.1, GOD called Isaiah to preach His Word. The Verse tells which family Isaiah came from—where and to whom he preached—and which kings were alive during the times of his Sermons. Then in Isaiah 6.8, after about two years had passed, it is said that GOD called Isaiah to preach again, although he had already been preaching. In this instance, GOD had called Isaiah to preach before. But GOD repeated and called Isaiah to preach again. In Fact, the second instance was more remarkable than the first. In Jonah 1.1,2, GOD tells Jonah to go preach to Nineveh. GOD says: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it.” Yet in the same Chapter, Jonah sadly turned away from THE LORD and would not preach THE LORD'S Sermon. However in Jonah 3.1,2, Jonah came to a better mind. At the time, it is spoken: “And the Word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” And when you compare what GOD told Jonah to preach at the beginning, it was the same Message that GOD finally told him to preach the second time. In John 21 beginning in Verse 15, JESUS asked Simon Peter the same question three times. There is no indication that JESUS supposed He was rude in this procedure. Nor was Simon Peter himself offended. Three times JESUS asked: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” In the Gospels, there is an unparalleled repetition. In the most exact detail, the Life of JESUS is recounted not once or twice, but four times. And yet this repetition involves huge blocks of Scripture. And what shall I say about the Old and New Testaments? The New Testament frequently quotes from the Old Testament. When the New Testament quotes from the Old Testament, it explains and enforces what had already been said.

From today's Sermon, there are Three Instructions. 1. The First Instruction: In the Scripture, GOD often repeats Himself. In today's Sermon, I showed that in the Text, GOD repeats Himself respecting the subject of comfort. From there, I went on to show that this is not unusual in Scripture. In some of the most well known Chapters of Scripture, in many particular cases, and in large blocks of Scripture sometimes, GOD repeats Himself again and again. 2. The Second Instruction: Why GOD repeats Himself. GOD does not repeat Himself without a purpose. GOD always has a good reason for repeating Himself. For GOD is not like man. Man sometimes speaks on the spur of the moment and must as quickly repent of what was just spoken. Yet in the matter of GOD'S repeating Himself, it is as it should be. In the case of the Ten Commandments, GOD would testify that it is a serious thing to disobey His Law. Therefore they were broken the first time. When GOD'S Will is rebelled, He sees it. It is no small thing to Him. As for Isaiah, by calling His Servant to preach twice, GOD would keep that sacred calling fresh in His Servant's heart and in the hearts of all Preachers. As for Jonah, at the least, GOD teaches that His Word changes not. 3. The Third Instruction: It is best to let GOD speak as He will. No one should be impatient at THE DIVINE TEACHER. If you are going to take JESUS as your SAVIOUR, read His Word, and walk by His Word, you must resolve in your heart to let GOD speak as He will. Do not take it upon yourself to tell GOD how He should speak. No one has ever done well following that rule. That rule leads to certain destruction. Instead, keep in mind that GOD knows what to say. GOD knows best how to say it. And when it pleases GOD to repeat Himself, you ought not to forget your Parents. For why did our Parents sometime repeat themselves? Because the lesson was not learned. When the lesson is not learned or forgotten, there is need to hear the lesson again. I commend the maxim that thrived in the boy Samuel. In I Samuel 3.18, when GOD repeated Himself to Samuel, the maxim that Samuel followed was: “It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good.” This is the way to go. Then shall every Word of GOD be appreciated, GOD Himself shall be glorified, and you yourself shall do well. Amen.

Sermon III.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I come to speak concerning True Comfort. Through the course of today's Sermon, there are two things I invite you to think about. I. The first is the connection between peace and comfort. II. The mistakes that are sometimes made in these things.

I. The connection between peace and comfort. Down through the years, Scriptural Scholars have observed that in the first appearance of a Word or Subject in Scripture all of GOD'S mind concerning those things is succinctly laid out. The first time the Word "comfort" appears in Scripture is in Genesis 5.29. The Verse says: "And [his father] called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands." At this time, the godly were going through severe trial. Sin and violence filled the land. Yet here came a godly father. He had a son. In this son, the godly father took peace. He took peace in this son because GOD had said that in the days of this son there would be "comfort." In the New Testament, the first time the Word "comfort" appears is in Matthew 9.20-22. The Verse says: "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort." In the Words, this woman had been sick for twelve years. Yet she said to herself: "I will go to Jesus. If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole." Which step brought her into comfort. All which shows that in the human pursuit of comfort, people often first propose to themselves some sort of peace. Through that peace, they suppose they will come into comfort. In the case Noah, this father had a son. This son was his father's peace. For GOD had said to the father that in the days of this son, there would be comfort. In the case of the woman in Matthew, her peace consisted in the thought that she was going to JESUS and touch the hem of His garment. In this way, she obtained comfort.

II. The mistakes that are sometimes made in these things. Now that I have showed the connection between peace and comfort, I would next show the mistakes that are sometimes made in these things. In Jeremiah 6.14, the false prophets who preached in Jeremiah's time sought to give out a false peace among the people. Yet while the false prophets went around saying "peace, peace," GOD said "there was no peace." For the peace the false prophets proposed included a serious turning away from THE LORD, a complete allowance of sin, and the worship of the false gods of the times. And when the rest of Scripture is considered—such Scriptures as Deuteronomy 29.19, Jeremiah 8.11, Ezekiel 13.10 & 16, & I Thessalonians 5.3—it is conspicuous that both the Prophets and the Apostles had a difficult time in steering people away from false peace. All which points like a finger toward the Fact that in the matter of comfort, glaring mistakes are sometimes made. These mistakes have chiefly to do with building on false peace. Whereas in the Scripture, GOD clearly says there are certain types of peace that are not peace. They cannot be trusted or used. In Isaiah 48.22 & 57.21, GOD says two times that when people turn away from Him—when they choose sin, persist in sin, and justify sin—by this practice, they put peace far from them. In those circumstances, there can be "no peace." Besides this, in the Scripture, GOD Himself presents His own Way of Peace. In Micah 5.5, GOD says: "This Man shall be the peace." In Acts 10.36, GOD identifies this Man. GOD says "peace by Jesus Christ." In Ephesians 2.14, GOD says: "Jesus is our Peace." All which testifies that the peace to look to to arrive at comfort is JESUS. JESUS is the Noah, of Whom GOD has said that He can bring you into the Comfort of GOD.

From today's Sermon, there are Four Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is there is a connection between peace and comfort. In today's Sermon, I spoke of a faithful rule regarding the interpretation of Scripture. In the Scripture, where a Word or Subject first appears is summed up all of GOD'S mind concerning those things. In the first appearance of the Word "comfort" in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, there is a similarity. The similarity is that in the human pursuit of comfort, people commonly propose to themselves some sort of peace to finally bring themselves into comfort. 2. The Second Instruction: Your comfort is only as good as the peace it is built on. In Matthew 7.24-27, JESUS spoke about the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man built his house on the rock. The foolish man built his house on the sand. And when it comes to comfort, your comfort is only as good as the peace it is built on. If you build your comfort on lies and false peace, the end will not go well. Yet if you build your comfort on True Peace, you will not fail of a glorious end. Comfort shall be attained. 3. The Third Instruction: There are forces in this world that would block you from comfort. I spoke in your hearing today how in Jeremiah's day there were false prophets who sought to give the people false peace. And in our own times, are there not real forces at work that would seek to do the same thing with you? In Genesis 3.5, Satan proposed a false peace to Eve. Satan said that if she would partake of the forbidden fruit, she would be as gods. But this false peace did not lead to comfort. It led her to destruction. 4. The Fourth Instruction: We may admire the rich Grace of GOD in GOD'S involving Himself in our comfort. GOD, Who knows what comfort is, has taken care for our comfort. For in this world, it has not only pleased GOD to give human life; but GOD has made arrangement so that it is possible to live a spiritually comfortable life. First: GOD has pointed us away from sin. If there were no hope in this thing, GOD would have been silent. Instead, as was seen in the Verse in Isaiah, GOD has clearly announced there is no peace in sin. Then GOD has laid down the firmest foundation for Peace. John 3.16 says: "God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son." In the rest of Scripture, I showed today that GOD has said that THIS SON is our Peace. "Peace by Jesus Christ." "He is our Peace." So that here is a firm foundation. Make sure, above all else, that you resort to it. In I Peter 2.6, GOD says: "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone: he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." Amen.

Sermon IV.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I intend to hold forth to you What True Comfort Is. What comfort is, is too often assumed. Yet is it by assumption that words and subjects are studied and learned? More specially, what does GOD mean when He says the Word “comfort?” Should not GOD'S Idea of Comfort have a predominant place in human thinking? Through the course of today's Sermon, there are three things. I. What we mean when we use the word “comfort.” II. What the famous have said about the word. III. What GOD means when He says the Word.

I. What we mean when we use the word "comfort." In his Dictionary Of Word Origins, Mr. John Ayto says that the word "comfort" did not always have its present "soft" idea. When the word "comfort" is used today, the idea commonly assigned to the word is "to soothe in time of affliction." Whereas years ago, in 1828, when our first American Dictionary appeared in print, the idea of the word was stronger. The idea was "to strengthen greatly." This reflects the Latin roots. "Com" or "con" means "with." "Fort" refers to a fortress.

II. What the famous have said. Through the years, the famous who have lived among us have sometimes spoken their minds concerning the word comfort. Jane Austen said: "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." During the days of World War II, Winston Churchhill said: "It is not time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure." John F. Kennedy said: "Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." In the quotations, you see for one thing what a Blessing comfort is. Jane Austen implies that comfort is GOD'S Gift. It is simple. It is closer than you might think. At the same time, Churchhill and Kennedy speak how comfort can be abused. When it's time to work or stand up, you cannot sleep and call it comfort.

III. What GOD means when He says the Word "Comfort." Yet when GOD says the Word "Comfort," He is like none else. When GOD uses the Word, it's as if the Word becomes a new Word. GOD leaves human thinking behind. GOD has His own way of thinking and speaking. In our Text, in Isaiah 40.1,2, GOD speaks some form of the Word "Comfort" three times. In Verse 1, GOD says: "Comfort ye, comfort ye." In the Verse, the Word "Comfort" is used twice. Yet it is really only one Hebrew Word that is repeated. This Hebrew Word comes from a root that means "to breathe strongly" or "to sigh." Which testifies of GOD'S Comfort from His point of view. When GOD gives comfort, it is no cold or mechanical thing. There is a sense in which GOD sighs into the soul when He gives Comfort. In Mark 7.32-34, when JESUS gave Comfort, it is said that "He sighed." JESUS did not just give Comfort. His heart was in, and went with, the Comfort He gave. It is in this fashion that GOD gives Comfort. In Verse 2, GOD uses a form of the Word "comfort" again. This time GOD says: "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem." There are two roots in this Hebrew Word. The first signifies "the Highest." The second alludes to the "heart." So that when the two roots are combined into one Word, the Word means "the Highest" speaks from His "heart." The Word expresses that in the Comfort of GOD, THE HIGHEST draws near to the soul. He speaks. He speaks from the heart. He speaks to the heart. All which in the end brings a glorious Comfort. This relates the manner of GOD'S Comfort. GOD'S Comfort is not only to be prized because of the comfortable feeling it brings, but because of THE PERSON Who gives it.

From today's Sermon, there are Three Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is how our word "comfort" has dropped. In today's Sermon, I showed that in the beginning, our English word "comfort" meant "to strengthen greatly." This is the way that comfort used to be. Comfort used to strengthen. It strengthened things like a man's knowledge and character. Whereas in the world today, the word "comfort" has cheapened. These days the word "comfort" means "to soothe in time of affliction." Yet this "soothing" is completely subjective and gives no account about any strengthening. 2. The Second Instruction: When the famous of this world speak the Truth, they ought to be heard. In Acts 17.28, the Apostle Paul quotes from Aratus, a Greek poet. The quotation is: "We are God's offspring." In the Verse, the Apostle was preaching to Greeks. In his Sermon, the Apostle begins by reminding the Greeks of a Truth that was acknowledged by one of their own poets, namely, that GOD is our CREATOR. Which demonstrates that when the famous of this world speak the Truth, they ought to be heard. And in the quotations of the famous that I produced before you today, should not they be heard in what they say? Jane Austen teaches the importance that comfort is essentially simple and sometimes closer than you think. Churchhill and Kennedy strip the word "comfort" from shallow conceptions. They say that comfort is not to get in the way of work or times of standing up. 3. The Third Instruction: See the elevated things GOD does when He Comforts. GOD does not send an Angel. He does not write the words of His Comfort in the clouds. Instead, GOD gives His Comfort Himself. The Scripture says that He "sighs" when He comforts. "The Highest" speaks from "His heart." Which secures that GOD never gives His Comfort in vain. When GOD comforts, He accomplishes what He desires. This is where Comfort comes from. Comfort comes from GOD. Comfort is the Gift of GOD. Outside of this, Satan and our own hearts but trick us when it comes to comfort. Amen.

Sermon V.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I come to consider The Manner In Which GOD Dispenses His Comfort. In this consideration, there are two things. I. I shall, first, consider the matter head on. I shall consider directly the manner in which GOD dispenses His Comfort. II. Afterwards, I shall speak some Reflections.

I. The manner in which GOD dispenses His Comfort. In the Text, in Isaiah 40.1,2, GOD does not keep in the dark the manner in which He dispenses His Comfort. GOD spells it out in the brightest characters. And just because this manner at first might seem strange, this does not therefore mean it ought to be slighted or rejected. Instead, it ought to be expected. For He is GOD. Isaiah 55.8 says that GOD'S Thoughts are not as our thoughts. And if GOD'S thoughts are not as our thoughts, it makes sense that He works past human understanding. In Verse 1, GOD says: “Comfort ye, comfort ye.” In this doubled Expression, there is but one Hebrew Word. This Hebrew Word signifies “to breathe strongly” or “to sigh.” In Verse 2, GOD says: “Speak ye comfortably.” In this Phrase, the Hebrew Word for “comfortably” is something of a joining together of two roots. One is “the Highest.” The second alludes to the “heart.” So that when the two roots are combined into one Hebrew Word, the idea is “the Highest speaks from His heart.” All which largely spells out the manner in which GOD dispenses His Comfort. When GOD gives Comfort, He breathes deeply on us. He sighs. THE HIGHEST speaks from His heart.

II. The Reflections. I have given you the Facts of the Word “comfort” as they are laid before us in the Text. I now invite you into Reflection. It's in the Reflection of the Facts where THE LORD meets us and blesses us. In Psalm 62.11, the Psalmist said: “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this.” In the Scripture, there is the once-for-all spoken Words of GOD. Yet GOD would have us to “hear” the Words “twice.” The “twice” is Reflection. When you learn the Facts of Scripture, the Truth comes to you. When you reflect on the Facts of Scripture, the Truth gets in you. See Psalm 1.2,3.

Question. What may be reflected upon concerning these Facts? From today's Facts spring Three Reflections. 1. The First Reflection is all True Comfort comes from GOD. This First Reflection should be considered often. As simple as the Reflection is, it tends to be forgotten. Specially when trouble comes. In today's Sermon, I showed that when GOD comforts, He “breathes strongly” upon us. He “sighs.” “The Highest speaks from His heart.” I tell you, this presents a high, mysterious view of GOD'S Comfort. Comfort is not some cheap feeling springing from chance. Comfort runs deep. Comfort is as deep as GOD. All True Comfort comes from GOD. Which puts True Comfort in the category of the rain, the snow, the air, the wind, the land, the sea, and the earth itself. All these things come from GOD. And just as GOD only could send the rain, the snow, or the wind, just so only GOD can breathe True Comfort into the soul. And I ask you, if True Comfort thus comes from GOD, in the matter of comfort, do you go out and meet GOD in this thing? GOD not only desires that you come to Him for Salvation; GOD desires to be your All in All. GOD desires to be the Great Supplier of all your spiritual need. And besides, Who could give greater Comfort than THE GLORIOUS PERSON Who has both designed and accomplished Salvation? Surely, if He considered us in our low estate in the deep affair of Salvation, this by itself completely qualifies Him, and indeed puts Him on the plateau of, THE BEST COMFORTER IN THE WORLD.

2. The Second Reflection: There is no Comfort like the Comfort of GOD. When the Hebrew Words for “comfort” are considered, as we did today, I ask you, who gives Comfort like this? I mean, if this is the manner in which GOD dispenses His Comfort, then what must be the Comfort itself be like? Surely, all this strong breath, this sighing, THE HIGHEST speaking from His heart must constitute a Comfort that cannot be matched. I have sometimes thought that one of the golden aspects about GOD'S Comfort is its Sincerity. GOD is not like some who speak just anything so that people may be comforted. One aspect that makes GOD'S Comfort so exceptional is that GOD knows the secret of Comfort. The secret of Comfort is Truth. In the matter of Comfort, GOD seeks to set your soul down on the Truth. When the soul is settled on GOD'S Truth, Comfort cannot help but follow. Dr. C.S. Lewis rightly said that if you look for comfort in comfort, you will not find it. But if you look for comfort in Truth, there it is. When it comes to man's comfort, man's comfort falls short. It does not come forth as a strong breath or a sigh. In Job 2.11, when Job's “three friends” came to “comfort” Job in his affliction, what sorry comforters they were! When you sort through their words, you see that they came with the current views of the times. They told Job that he was going through trial because GOD was judging him. They said his children were freshly dead because they were all sinners. They said Job was a fake, a total pretender, and that he did his good works to be seen of men. All which was not true of Job. In Genesis 37.35, when it was supposed that Joseph was dead, all Jacob's family “rose up to comfort him.” But what was the result? Their comfort brought no relief. And so it usually is with man's comfort. It is common that man sees sparkle in the current views of the times. These are held up as the means of comfort. But this glitter does not shine in darkness.

3. The Third Reflection: The hinge of GOD'S Comfort. What is the hinge of GOD'S Comfort? How might GOD'S Comfort swing open to us? I have spoken it all along. I must confess, I stand in awe of it. When I repeat it, it becomes not old to me. It is a striking thought. In GOD'S Comfort, He strongly breathes on us. He sighs. In this strong breath and in these sighs, THE HIGHEST speaks from His heart. Thereby Comfort is received. This way of speaking is so unexpected, so peculiar, so wonderful, it is no surprise that something unspeakably profound takes place in GOD'S Comfort. Yet observe: you cannot see or hear a strong breath at a distance. You must come to THE LORD to catch and feel the warmth of His sigh. Which speaks that Comfort is not found away from GOD. If you stay away from GOD, no True Comfort can be found. You must come to THE LORD. Comfort is found in GOD'S Presence. In Isaiah 51.12, THE LORD says: “I, even I, am He that comforteth you.” Amen.

Sermon VI.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I invite you to consider The Seven Times In Scripture When GOD Sighed. I. The first time GOD sighed or breathed strongly is among the Scripture's first Words. In Genesis 2.7, when GOD created the human race, it is said that GOD “breathed” into man “the breath of life” and man received the Gift of his soul. Nor does the Scripture treat this as some small sigh. Throughout Scripture, this breath is referred to frequently. Three times the Phrase shows up in the Account of the Flood, as you see in Genesis 6.17;7.15,22. In Job 12.10, Job speaks the Phrase. The Phrase appears again in his Book in Job 33.4.

II. The second time in Scripture that GOD sighed is in our Text. In Isaiah 40.1,2, the Words read: “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.” The Hebrew Word for our Word “comfort” in this place signifies “to breathe strongly” or to “sigh.” Which expresses that when GOD gives Comfort, He “breathes strongly.” He “sighs.”

III. The third time in Scripture that GOD sighed is in Ezekiel 37.9,10. The Words read: “Then said He unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” The next Verse reads: “So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet an exceeding great army.” In the Words, the Hebrew Word for our Word “breath” means “wind.” The Hebrew Word for “breathe” (“breathe, O Breath, upon these slain”) means “to blow hard.” Both Words are remarkably similar to the Hebrew Word in our Text. In Ezekiel 37.9,10, you have a shining Old Testament symbol of what GOD will do on the Judgment Day. In John 5.25, JESUS more largely explains: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

IV. The fourth time in Scripture that GOD sighed is in Mark 7.34. In the Words, JESUS healed a man who was “deaf” and “had an impediment in his speech.” It is a tender Account. The Account almost stands alone among the impressive Healings of JESUS. The Words read: “And Jesus took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers into his ears, and He spit, and touched his tongue; And looking upon to Heaven, Jesus sighed, and saith unto him, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.”

V. The fifth time in Scripture that GOD sighed is in Mark 8.12. The Words read: “And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with Jesus, seeking of Him a sign from Heaven, tempting Him. And Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. And He left them.” Which speaks that when JESUS saw the hardness of heart and the error of the Pharisees, it stirred Him to the heart. He “sighed deeply.”

VI. The sixth time in Scripture that GOD sighed is in John 20.22. The Words read: “When Jesus had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” Yet there is no place in this Scripture where you read of this breath any further. Till you come to Acts 2.2-4. “And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Therefore that quiet breath that JESUS first breathed on the Disciples when He rose again from the dead, in a few weeks, became “a rushing mighty wind.” THE SPIRIT came down, filled the hearts of the Disciples, and carried them henceforth into a consistent and glorious Christian Life.

VII. The seventh time in Scripture that GOD sighed is in II Timothy 3.16. The Words say: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” In the Greek, the Phrase is: “All Scripture is given by the breath of God.” Which distinguishes and sets apart the Scripture. The Words reflect that the Scripture is not just a book. It is a Book in which GOD Divinely breathed. This makes the Scripture what Christians have always called the Word of GOD.

From today's Sermon, there are Four Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is sometimes in this world, GOD looks weak. I grant, at first glance, when you think about GOD giving Comfort through a sigh, it looks small. What can a sigh do? But sometimes in this world, it pleases GOD to look weak. Sometimes, His Churches are little. His Preachers have physical infirmities. In the circumstances of life, the godly suffer and the ungodly triumph. All this comes to the height at the Cross. In II Corinthians 13.4, the Apostle Paul says: “He was crucified through weakness.” But how else do you expect GOD to come to weak man? If it was GOD'S intention to show His Grace, what better means than GOD becoming man and putting on the form of weakness? 2. The Second Instruction: See the unequaled dignity of GOD'S Comfort. For look where it fits in! In today's Sermon, I showed that GOD'S sigh is not small-scale. GOD'S sigh has Creating Power. It has the Power to raise the dead. There is Healing Power. There is therein the reception of THE SPIRIT. From this sigh came the Word of GOD. Therefore this matter of GOD giving Comfort through a sigh, as small as it seems to some, ranks up there with the Greatest Works of GOD. It shows that GOD'S Comfort is wonderfully sufficient to dispel fear and fretting. 3. The Third Instruction: This is what we need! For do you see? Comfort is not a material thing. Comfort is a spiritual thing. Comfort concerns not your toe or finger. Comfort has more to do with your mind and your affections. And since GOD'S sigh is spiritual, it is ideally suited to meet the spiritual need of Comfort. 4. The Fourth Instruction: GOD can use the weakest things to do the greatest things. Among the Scriptures I recited to you today, there is the instance when JESUS healed the sick by putting His fingers in the ears and spitting on the tongue. Which was, in part, to set before us that the Healing did not come from the means; the Healing came from the Person and the Power of JESUS. And so it is with GOD'S sigh. The key is not the sigh. The Glory goes to GOD. It is GOD alone Who gives Comfort. If GOD used more exalted means, the human race would quickly make a god out of it. But when GOD uses weak things, it becomes conspicuous that True Comfort is in the hands of GOD and He gives it to whom He will. Amen.

Sermon VII.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I contrast GOD'S Sigh with man's sigh. In this consideration, there are two things. I. A review of the seven times in Scripture that GOD sighed. II. What the Scripture says about man's sigh.

I. A review of the seven times in Scripture that GOD sighed. In the Scripture, there are seven times GOD sighed. In Genesis 2.7, when GOD created the human race, it is said that He “sighed” or “breathed strongly” into man's body “the breath of life” and thereby created the soul. In the Words of the Text, in Isaiah 40.1,2, when GOD gives Comfort, the Expression is that He “sighs” or “breathes strongly” His Comfort into the soul. In Ezekiel 37.9,10, when GOD gives a symbol of the Great Day when He will raise the dead, He says that He will do the Work by His Breath. In Mark 7.34, when JESUS healed the sick, it is said that He “sighed.” In Mark 8.12, when JESUS beheld the hardness of heart and the error of the Pharisees, He “sighed deeply.” In John 20.22, when JESUS gave to the Disciples the Great Gift of THE SPIRIT, He commenced with a “breath.” In II Timothy 3.16, when GOD gave the Scripture, He did so by His “breath.” Therefore in Creation, in Comfort, when GOD will raise the dead, when JESUS heals the sick, when GOD looks on the sins of this world with His Great Restraint, when GOD gives HIS SPIRIT, when GOD gave the Scripture, in all these things, at different times and places, GOD did these Surpassing Wonders by means of His “sigh” and His “breath.”

II. What the Scripture says about man's sigh. The first time man sighs in Scripture is in Exodus 2.23. When the Jews were in the land of Egypt being cruelly oppressed as slaves, it is said that they “sighed.” This first appearance of the human sigh in Scripture exactly foreshadows the central way the Word is used throughout the rest of the Book. In Job 3.24, when Job passed through his afflictions, it is said that he “sighed.” In Psalm 12.5, “the needy” “sigh.” In Psalm 79.11, those in prisons “sigh.” But, mainly, the human “sigh” in Scripture is a mark of the godly. In Psalm 31.10, the Psalmist sighed. In Jeremiah 45.3, the Prophet Jeremiah's assistant sighed. In Lamentations 1.4,11,21, when the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jews sighed. In Ezekiel 9.4, there is this peculiar Word. When GOD was about to judge the city, it is said that He would spare all those who sighed for the sins of the land. In Isaiah 35.10, there is the most extraordinary Verse in Scripture pertaining to man's sigh. It is said that when the godly shall go to Glory, all “sighing shall flee away.”

From today's Sermon, there are Three Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is that in Scripture, there is a clear difference between when GOD sighs and when man sighs. I suppose when a majority of people think about a sigh, they have one idea. They do not need the Scripture to tell them that a sigh signifies an inward burden. They learn this by experience. Yet we do need the Scripture to tell us this. And we would do well to lay it to heart. There is a clear difference between when GOD sighs and when man sighs. I grant, when man sighs, there is burden. At the same time, in Scripture, when GOD sighs, the rule is that He does not bear a burden. When GOD sighs, it is commonly Glorious. He makes the soul. He gives Comfort. He raises the dead. He gives the Scripture. Therefore, as the old Hymn says, “judge not the Lord by feeble sense.” It might be when man sighs, it is burdensome. But keep in mind: when GOD sighs, it is usually Glorious. By a simple sigh, GOD accomplishes some of His profoundest Wonders. 2. The Second Instruction: This world is a place of sighing. In today's Sermon, I showed that in this world GOD sighs. I showed that man sighs. Besides this, in Romans 8.22, the Apostle Paul says that “the whole creation groaneth in pain together until now.” In the Greek, the Phrase is that “the whole creation moans.” Among us, is not the “moan” akin to the “sigh?” They both speak much of the same thing. Which shows that let men say what they will, but there is no changing the Fact that this world is a place of sighing. As life in this world takes place from day to day, it is not only GOD Who sighs—it is not only man who sighs—but GOD says that all of the creatures around us moan too and look forward to the day when GOD will come and change the world. 3. The Third Reflection: GOD'S Sigh is the cure of man's sigh. GOD has not left us to our sighs! For does not today's Sermon speak that there is a place in this world where we may go to ease, soothe, and cure our sighing? There is. It is GOD'S Sigh. GOD'S Sigh is the cure of man's sigh. In this world, GOD has sighed. It's a Fact. The Scripture says so. In Fact, the Scripture says that GOD has sighed again and again. The Scripture says GOD will yet sigh again. And when you look at this most exceptional sigh of GOD, as it is revealed in the Scripture, you see that this sigh is well able to abate our own sighing. For how does GOD heal the sick? I showed today that it is through His Sigh. So many times in life, we ourselves have been laid low. Sometimes, we might not have known if we would pull through. Yet there came the Sigh of GOD. An Unseen Power appeared. The problem dissolved and went away. And how does GOD comfort? I showed today that GOD Comforts through His Sigh. GOD sighs in the soul and Comfort is received. In this world, when the Christian's spirit is bowed down and burdened, there are seasons when the Scripture is turned to, a Sermon is heard, or a good book is read, that Comfort comes. Since GOD comforts through His Sigh, He does not always comfort with horns and trumpets. A Sigh is something you can't see. It is quiet. Yet the result is real. And how will GOD raise the dead? JESUS spoke of this Day often. JESUS said that GOD will raise the dead by His Sigh or the Breath of His mouth. Will not this put an abrupt and instant end to all Christian sighing? It has always been believed so. When that happy hour arrives, the deepest sighing shall end. The deepest sighing shall be forgot. Then shall be brought to pass the Saying of Isaiah. “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Amen.