The Comfort of All Comforts

The knowledge of a man's property in God--is the comfort of comforts. Property makes every comfort a pleasurable comfort, a delightful comfort. When a man walks . . .

in a fair meadow--and can write mine upon it,
into a pleasant garden--and can write mine upon it,
into a fruitful field--and can write mine upon it,
into a stately habitation--and can write mine upon it,
into a rich treasury--and can write mine upon it--
Oh, how does it please him! How does it delight him!

Of all words, the word mine is the sweetest and most comforting word. Ah! when a man can look upon God and say "Mine!", when he can look upon God and say, "This God is my God forever and ever!", when he can look upon God and say, "This God is my portion!", when he can look upon God and say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!"--how will all the springs of joy rise in his soul!

Oh, who can but rejoice to be possessor of that God who fills heaven and earth with His fullness? Who can but rejoice to have Him for his portion, in having of whom, he has all things--in having of whom, he can lack nothing?

The serious thoughts of our property in God will add much sweet to all our sweets! Yes, it will make every bitter thing sweet! When a man seriously thinks . . .

it is my God who cheers me with His presence,
it is my God who supports me with His power,
it is my God who guides me by His counsel,
it is my God who supplies me with His goodness,
it is my God who blesses all my blessings to me;
it is my God who afflicts me in love,
it is my God who has broken me in my estate,
it is my God who has sorely visited His child,
it is my God who has passed this sentence of death upon a friend,
it is my God who has thus cast me down--

how do these thoughts cheer up the spirit of a man, make
every bitter sweet and every burden light unto him.

O Christians! A clear sight of your property in God is . . .

a pearl of great price,
your paradise,
manna in a wilderness,
water out of a rock,
a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night,
a salve for every sore,
a cure for every disease,
a remedy against every malady,
an anchor at sea, and a shield on shore,
a star to guide you,
a staff to support you,
a sword to defend you,
a pavilion to hide you,
a fire to warm you,
a banquet to refresh you,
a city of refuge to secure you,
a cordial to cheer you!

What more could you desire?

- Thomas Brooks