"I Remember...
All of us fall short at times in our ability to care for and comfort people who find themselves in need. 'Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness,' Isaiah 41:10. I've never seen the Holy Spirit fail to love and comfort those going through it. It's when we hurt the most that the Holy Spirit comes to love and comfort us the most.
Being nostalgic for a moment, I recall (as I'm sure you can) a few childhood experiences that always gave me strength, encouragement, security, and joy... experiences that I believe parallel the heart of our Heavenly Father and are confirmed in the truths of His Word. I remember vividly several things as if they happened just yesterday. Maybe you'll remember others but, if not, here are a few experiences for starters.
I REMEMBER... being paralyzed with fear and then feeling the strength and security of a strong embrace. 'The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms,' Deuteronomy 33:27.
I REMEMBER... in moments of inferiority, failure, and uncertainty, a firm hand laid on my back that was a steadying force at crucial moments. 'Thou hast beset me behind and before and laid Thine hand upon me,' Psalm 139:5.
I REMEMBER... nights of loneliness when a warm and gentle tucking in bed meant the difference between a restless night and a restful one. 'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him,' Psalm 103:13.
I REMEMBER... like yesterday, the tender words of love and assurance that said everything would be alright even when we had just lost our favorite dog or when I thought I'd die from a cut incurred while sliding into second base. 'For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched by the feelings of our infirmities,' Hebrews 4:15.
Now I know why only God can hear every man's cry and carry every man's pain. 'Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear.' Isaiah 59:1. His boundless supply of mercy and never-failing love can stand amidst a world that is racked with pain, sin, and death, and still be our God who never fails and reigns forever.
Feeling very comforted,
Ron Mehl"