---

It must be admitted that there is a tendency to forget, or at least to underestimate God's consolations.

I. NOW, FIRST LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IT IS THAT PROMPTS THIS ENQUIRY.

1. You really must excuse me for asking you if the mercies of God seem trivial to you, for some of you look as if they were. If I judged by your countenance I should suppose that you had scarcely any of them, and that they were wonderfully paltry and powerless.

2. I ask the question of others, because I am bound to say they speak as if the consolations of God were small. You get into conversation with them for half an hour, and the season is none too long for them to recite the story of their griefs. Some go further than to omit the mention of their mercies; they complain against God, and murmur at their Master.

3. I ask the question of others, because I find that they act as if the consolations of God were small with them. Acts are the outcome of thoughts, the concrete forms of imaginings and emotions. Is not Jehovah enough for Israel? Does not His covenant stand, whatever else fails? Why dost thou draw the blinds, when the sun would fain shine right into thy soul, and make thee glad again?

4. There are others who pray as if the consolations of God were small with them. Some people's prayers are nothing but a long and dismal list of wants, and woes, and weariness.

5. Some there are who sing as if the mercies of God were few, and scarcely worthy of their notice. Some do not sing at all.

II. I should like TO RECOUNT THE CONSOLATIONS OF GOD. Here is Jesus. "Behold the Man." "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." Then we have His Spirit, the Comforter, a reservoir of consolations. In this blessed book are twenty thousand promises, "yea," all in Christ Jesus, and in Him, "Amen." Ours is the privilege of prayer. Amongst the other consolations do not forget the whispers of God's love. They have been unmistakable. Thank God also for peace of mind and rest of conscience.

III. Shall I try next to DESCRIBE THE CONSOLATIONS OF GOD?

1. They are Divine.

2. They are abounding, too.

3. His consolations are abiding.

4. And they are strong.

IV. WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE ARE THE RESULTS OF A PROPER APPRECIATION OF GOD'S CONSOLATIONS.

1. If we appraise them at their real value we shall be forgetful of the past. Forgetting the things which are behind, we shall press forward to those that are before.

2. If you properly appreciate God's consolations, you will be grateful for the present, you will raise a stone of help each day, and pour oil, the oil of gratitude upon it; you will be trustful for the future.

V. LET ME MENTION SOME FEW AIDS TO PROPER APPRECIATION OF GOD'S CONSOLATIONS. Will you remember what you used to be? Will you consider also what you must have come to, if God had not come to your rescue and relief? Consolation! How can it be small with me when it was condemnation that I deserved? Moreover, reflect what you still are. "Above all, recollect how great the condescension on God's part to comfort and console."

(T. Spurgeon.)

---

---

KJV: Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

WEB: Are the consolations of God too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you?