How careful God is of His people; how anxious He is concerning them,
not only for their life, but for their comfort. Does He say, “Strengthen
ye, strengthen ye my people?” Does He say to the angel, “Protect my
people?” Does He not say to the heavens, “Drop down manna to feed my
people?” all that, and more also. His tender regard secures to them. But
to show us that He is not only regardful of our interests, but also of
our superfluities, He says, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” He would
have us not only His living people, and His preserved people, but He
would have us His happy people too. He likes His people to be fed; but
what is more, He likes to give them “Wines on the lees well refined,” to
make glad their hearts. He will not only give them “bread,” but He will
give them “honey” too; He will not simply give them “milk,” but He will
give them “wine and milk.” “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people:” it is the
Father’s yearning heart, careful even for the little things of His
people. “Comfort ye” that one with a tearful eye; “Comfort ye” yon child
of mine with an aching heart; “Comfort ye” that poor bemoaning one;
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”