A Note to the Downhearted

Come unto me, all you who labor and are burdened down, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is gentle and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

So Jesus cries out even today, overflowing with compassion and ready to help the most downcast soul. Here, we see an Almighty Savior, who by all accounts has the power and authority to do what he so tenderly offers, but for all his might, he is meek and lowly, and shows forth no terror to the most bruised and fragile reed among mankind, so that the timorous and trembling might be emboldened, and stir themselves up to approach him. O, weak, hurting, and despairing soul, come to him! I too was once burdened beyond measure, at a loss even to live out the remainder of the hour, not knowing from what mental reserves I might bring forth the resolve to take my next step, or draw in my next breath. But when I was weak, I have proved him strong, and I counsel you to prove him too, and see if he will not deliver you from the deepest anguish of soul. I was always ready to weep out my whole soul in tears to the ground, and find my comfort in the bitter embrace of death; but in my despair, my God has delivered me with a mighty hand, and now I rest in his unfailing grace.

Once I cursed my troubles, for they were deep and inexplicable. But I have now such an abundant experience of God’s overwhelming grace, that when others around me are afflicted, he sometimes allows it to overflow for their consolation. God’s grace is immense, and it cannot be held in great measure by small vessels. But when the floods of sorrow have carved out immense chambers of emptiness in the soul of a man, God is able to fill them with unspeakable delights and mercies, for which there would not have been room before. God’s consolation abounds by my previous sufferings, so that in this life I am able to know joy in proportion as I had known sorrow. This is a precious glimpse of our future in the presence of Jesus our lovely Savior, and it is a glimpse which his grace causes to grow in me every day as I seek his face by his word and his Spirit. But if he had not so roughly prepared me, how would I have tasted such comfort? And this comfort is not just mine, it works for the comfort of the afflicted around me. I thank God that I can feel what others feel when they go through trials, and I can tell them of the wonder of the gospel, which is deeper than all the misery of man.

I thank God likewise that I am now able to suggest a couple of ways by which to fight the enemy, which I know by experience to be effective through God’s mercy. First, dwell always before Calvary. Keep your mind occupied by taking pains to trace every scripture verse, every reality, every thought which confronts you, to the only place where its relevance is to be found: the foot of the cross. Plead with the Spirit to open your eyes to the glory which was revealed when Christ, the Mighty God and the Lion of the tribe of Judah, roared in divine and terrible fury against the sins which stain our souls – but as a meek and spotless Lamb directed his own holy roar against himself, with his own mouth of justice tore his own throat of meekness, flung all his wrath against this wicked world and then stepped in to absorb it all in his own matchless person – beg for God to open up your heart to the wonder of the gospel, for there is no other cure. And second, seek the help of friends who love the Savior. Seek to be in their company and listen to their shouts of praise, as they lift up his matchless Name. God will use this to spill over into your own soul, and you will be lifted up on their cries to the very gates of heaven. Read the rich words of men who have been mighty in Christ. If I had not found John Owen, and plunged myself into his heavenward soaring volume, The Glory of Christ, where would I be now? God is powerful enough to transform our souls with a word – but for his own wise purposes, he uses means: and these means are nothing but frequent meditation on his Word, letting it take you again and again to the gospel, fervent prayer, and fellowship with his people, even when your heart would run and hide. Do not give up, faltering Christian! Do not lose heart! Your enemy is fierce and strong, but is not the cross and the grace of Christ stronger yet? Though weeping may endure for a night, will not inexhaustible joy arise on the wings of the morning of Jesus’ tearless day?

Leave a Reply