Three Drops of Comfort
by Inglis Fleming
It has been said that the words “Even so, Father,” are “three drops of comfort to put into every bitter cup to make it sweet.”
The words were spoken by our Lord Jesus, at a “time of trouble,” indeed. His forerunner, John Baptist, seems to have doubted whether He was really the Messiah. The cities where His mightiest works had been wrought had not repented. It looked as if He had laboured in vain, and spent His strength for nought and in vain.
Then it was “at that time,” that the Lord “answered” all the circumstances of distress, as He said; “I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” He retired into the love of His Father, and delighting in His orderings was in perfect peace. He was
“Calm amidst tumultuous motion.”
To us He calls today; “Come unto Me,” “Learn of Me.” He would have us at rest. His Father is our Father, His God is our God now, for redemption is accomplished and He can give to us His place. And He wishes us to enjoy the rest that belongs to that relationship and learn to pillow an aching head on the bosom of infinite wisdom and everlasting love.
Drop those three drops, “Even so, Father,” into every bitter cup, dear tried, and tired, and tempest-tossed child of God. He knows the way you take and neither slumbers nor sleeps.
“Let the peace of Christ preside in your hearts” in the midst of all that is distressful. Refuse to be distracted. Live in the warmth and light of the deep affection of your God and Father, and the bitter cup will be sweet. Then as you learn the why? and the wherefore? of His dealings with you—perhaps now, or it may be in days to come—you will say with one who had passed through waves of woe, “I would not have been without that sorrow for a thousand worlds.”
“If our faith were but more simple,
We should take Him at His Word,
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of the Lord.”
I.Fleming
Help and Food 1927
