Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Our work is often a very effectual means of comfort to us. On the battlefield of Gettysburg there had been a terrible fight.

Among the wounded lay a certain chaplain of the name of Eastman who had been seriously injured in the back by his horse falling upon him.

The dark and dreary night came on, and as he lay in intense pain, unable to rise, he heard a voice at a little distance cry, “O God!”

His interest was excited and he rolled himself over and over through pools of blood—and among the slain—till he reached the side of the dying man.

And there they lay—talking of Jesus and His free salvation! The man expired in hope. And just then two soldiers came and told Eastman that a captain was dying a little further down the field and they must carry him there.

So he was borne in anguish upon the work of mercy—and while the night wore on, he spoke of Jesus to many dying men. Could he have had a surer relief from his pain? I think not.

Why, it seems to me that to lie there on his back with nothing to do but moan and groan would have been horrible. But in all his pain and an- guish, to be carried about to proclaim mercy to dying men made the anguish of an injured back endurable.

So is it when you miss a friend, or have lost property, or are heavy in spirit—you shall find your surest comfort in serving God with all your might. ((Charles Spurgeon, At the Master’s Feet [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005], November 4.))

Charles Spurgeon

Further reading

• WARNINGS CONCERNING MARK CAHILL
• HAVE YOU AN OPEN MIND?
• JAMES MACDONALD: PROSPERITY PREACHER T.D. JAKES “VIEWS ON MONEY” CLOSER TO SCRIPTURE THAN THAT OF “REFORMED WORLD”