Comforted of God - A Selection of Poems
by Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU COMFORTLESS: for I will come to you. John 14:18.

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.

Blessed are they that mourn, for THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED. Matthew 5:4.

"I will not leave you comfortless,
  For I will come to you;"
The Lord of Glory speaks these words—
  His promises are true.

He sorrows with His suffering child,
  He weeps with those that weep;
He comforts and sustaineth them,
  Their footsteps He doth keep.

"He doth not willingly afflict,"
  Nor grieve one precious soul;
His hand of love is over all,
  When sorrow's billows roll.

With countless mercies day by day,
  Compassions ever new,
His own are comforted and kept,
  Their strength He doth renew.

"I will not leave you comfortless,"
  Oh! What a precious Word!
The God of Comfort dries our tears,
  His promises we've heard.

He comforteth all those that mourn,
  He heals the broken heart;
He bindeth up their griefs and wounds,
  His strength He doth impart.

Oh Blessed Lord, we need Thy strength,
  Thy grace for every day;
We need Thy strong sustaining arm,
  To keep us all the way.

We thank Thee for Thy presence,
  For Thy promises so true,
"I will not leave you comfortless,
  For I will come to you."

I, even I, am He that comforteth you. Isaiah 51:12.

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13.

God—comforteth those that are cast down. 2 Corinthians 7:6.

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

"Careful for nothing," 'tis the Shepherd's voice,
"Be of good cheer," "forevermore rejoice,''
Precious the truth this message doth impart,
Comforts, encourages, and cheers the heart.

"Careful for nothing," wondrous love is shown,
In His desire expressed thus for His own;
Seeking to give them through life's pathway here
Freedom from worry, care, or doubt, or fear.

"Careful for nothing," for His love would share
Every perplexity and every care;
"In everything," whate'er the problem be,
"Let your requests be made known" unto Me.

Bringing thy burden then in simple prayer,
Commit it all unto a Father's care;
Trusting His love, from doubt and worry cease,
For He desires to give thee perfect peace.

Peace, rest, and joy, He giveth day by day,
His perfect peace, which nought can take away:
Peace, that the world can never understand,
Peace, that comes only from a Father's hand.

What richer portion could one ever find,
Than perfect peace of heart, and rest of mind?
And 'tis His promise, He will safely keep,
Throughout life's pathway, every single sheep.

"Careful for nothing," to be then content,
All He allows is for thy blessing sent;
"In everything give thanks" unto the Lord,—
All will work out for good; it is His Word.

"Careful for nothing," what is there to fear
Since He has promised to be ever near?
"Careful for nothing," what-so-e'er betide,
Peace is thy portion, with Him at thy side.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

I would have you without carefulness. 1 Corinthians 7:32

Peace I leave with you, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Casting all your care upon Him; for HE CARETH FOR YOU. 1 Peter 5:7

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee. Psalm 55:22

Cast all your care upon Jesus,
  Who ever careth for you,
He will sustain and uphold you,
  He will be faithful and true.

Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
  Jesus, our Shepherd and Guide,
Ever will bear all your burdens,
  Ever will stay by your side.

Jesus knows all of your problems,
  Knows all our trial and care,
He's ever ready to help us,
  Ready to answer our prayer.

Oh! what a comfort in trial,
  Just to lean hard on this Friend,
Trust Him for grace and deliverance,
  Learning on Him to depend.

Jesus wants you to be happy,
  Wants you to have peace and rest;
Cast all your care then upon Him,
  Lean on His strong, loving breast.

Careth? Oh yes! Jesus careth,
  His own are dear to His heart;
All His beloved whom He died for,
  They are to Him set apart.

Oh! how he cares for His people,
  Guards them and keeps them alway,
Wants them to share in His glory,
  All through eternity's day.

Make your requests then to Jesus,
  Trusting His promise so true;
Roll on the Lord all your burden,
  For He is caring for you.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I would have you without carefulness. 1 Corinthians 7:32

O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

Shall the clay say to Him that fashioneth it, What makest Thou? Isaiah 45:9

Cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in Mine hand. Jeremiah 18:6

Hath not the potter power over the clay? Romans 9:21

The potter has the power,
  The knowledge, and the skill,
To fashion every vessel
  According to his will.

The pattern and the purpose
  Of every vessel planned,
Its usefulness and beauty
  Are in the potter's hand.

The clay makes no decision,
  Has no will of its own,
But yielded to the potter,
  His pattern is made known.

And thus the Master Potter
  Our service has outlined;
He asks us to be yielded
  Unto His Will and Mind.

His purpose to acknowledge,
  To listen to His voice,
To let Him plan our pathway,
  According to His choice.

A vessel marred and broken,
  We may not understand,
But all can be committed
  Unto the Potter's hand.

Our Father's way is perfect,
  His thought toward us is love;
He's fashioning and molding,
  For life with Him above.

To trust the Heavenly Potter.
  And let Him mold the clay.
Brings joy, and peace, and blessing,
  And happiness alway.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

For IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

The ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary, ... Jesus went unto them ... Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Peter ... walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  Matthew 14:24-31

"Are your eyes on the waves, or the Lord
When trial or testing you meet?
For if on the Lord, there is strength,
But if on the waves, it's defeat.

The waves may be boisterous and high,
But Jesus, thy Shepherd, is near.
He's ready to answer your cry,
And comforts with "Be of good cheer."

His love is forever the same,
Who laid down His life for the sheep;
There's power in the touch of His hand,
He's willing and able to keep.

The circumstance through which you pass,
The trial of faith may be hard,
Beset oft with doubtings and fear,—
Look not at the waves, but the Lord.

The winds and the waves He controls,
Then trust Him, and be not dismayed,
He taketh His child by the hand,
Encourages, "Be not afraid."

May we, in the pathway of life,
When trial and testing arise,
Look not at the waves, but the Lord,
Who watcheth His own from the skies.

And when we His beauty behold,
The fears and the doubtings must cease;
His mercy, His love, and His power,
His presence bring wonderful peace.

Lord, increase our measure of faith,
Enlarge to a greater degree,
May we with a confident trust,
Look not at the waves, but to Thee.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

The Lord said ... I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luke 22:31-32

Lord, Increase our faith. Luke 17:5

Dear child of God, by sorrow crushed,
  May this your comfort be;
The Lord is ruling over all,—
  He loves and cares for thee.

Though Satan seek to buffet sore,
  He bows at God's command;
He cannot touch nor harm thee when
  God says, "Stay now thine hand."

The One who shed His precious blood
  To set the sinner free;
With that same matchless love untold
  Is watching over thee.

The Lord who stretched the heavens forth
  The earth's foundation laid,—
With that same power He guards His child
  And says "Be not afraid."

For "God is faithful"—blessed Word!
  Temptation, fear, or snare,
He never will allow one test
  Above that ye can bear.

The trial and testing He allows,
  By love and wisdom planned,—
When His own purpose is fulfilled
  He speaks —"Stay now thine hand."

The pathway may seem rough and steep,
  You'll feel His presence near,
You'll hear the precious Shepherd's voice,
  "'Tis I, child, never fear."

Then trust His love,—keep looking up,
  On Jesus fix thy gaze;
The way He leads will give thee cause
  For everlasting praise.

In glory we will give Him praise
  For all the way He led;
Then we will understand His ways,
  But here, we trust instead.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

And we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Jesus ... by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. John 4:10

The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

The Son of God a ransom came
  Down from His throne on high,
Into this world of sin and shame
  For us to bleed and die.

We read the Father sent the Son
  To die, on Calv'ry's tree;
"He tasted death for every man",
  He tasted death for me.

The wrath that was my portion, Lord,
  Was suffered all by Thee,
When tasting death for every man,—
  When tasting death for me.

"'Tis finished", all on Calv'ry's cross,
  Redemption's work is done;
"No condemnation" evermore,
  Through God's beloved Son.

O wondrous love and matchless grace
  That sets the sinner free;
"The Son of God who loved me so,—
  He gave Himself for me."

May love like this unto Thine own
  Our hearts and voices raise,
Unto the Father and the Son
  Our everlasting praise.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10

He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6

Can it be true, O blessed Lord,
  These words are meant for me?
Which written in Thy Word, I find,
  "There is no spot in thee.

For me, a sinner, doomed for hell,
  But pardoned, and set free;
These words of grace to me dost tell
  There is no spot in thee."

Thy Word condemns me, I confess,
  For "all have sinned," I read:
"Sin's wages, too, are death," unless
  Unto Thy grace I heed.

But God's gift is eternal life
  Through Jesus Christ our Lord:
His finished work extends to all
  Who trust His precious Word.

At Calvary, the Son of God
  Laid down His life for me;
My soul rejoices in the Lamb
  Who died to set me free.

When called to face Him now, I know,
  There can no sin be found;
His blood has cleansed me white as snow,
  His grace did so abound.

With His own robe of righteousness,
  In love, He's covered me;
'Tis through His merit, He can say
  "There is no spot in thee."

Yes, it is true, through wondrous grace,
  These words apply to me,
And with such love I'll have a place
  Through all Eternity.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins ... the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:10,14

He that believeth on the Son HATH EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:36

THOU LOVEST ME before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

Many waters cannot quench love. Song of Solomon 8:7

I am my Beloved's and His desire is toward me. Song of Solomon 7:10

"Thou lovest me, in spite of all my failure,
Thou knowest all my weakness and my sin;
But Thou did'st die on Calv'ry to redeem me,
To cleanse and make me white as snow within.

Thine is a love, unsearchable, eternal,
And many waters cannot quench Thy love;
Such love as Thou dost bear the quilty sinner,
Caused Thee to leave Thy glorious throne above.

Thou lovest me, a wretched, failing creature,
Unworthy, but Thy worthiness I claim;
Thy robe of righteousness is my salvation,
I pin my faith on Thy most precious Name.

Thou lovest me before the world's foundation,
"Chosen in Him" before the moon and sun,
Eternal love has marked out all my pathway,
And will direct 'till life on earth is done.

Thou lovest me, and Thou art interceding,
And ever working all things for my good,
O help me Lord, to rest upon Thy promise,
Rejoicing in Thy ways, not understood.

Thou lovest me, Ah! marvel of all ages,
Such wondrous love! we'll never understand;
But we can thankfully with joy receive it,
Enjoying blessings from Thy blessed hand.

O may we rest upon Thy love more fully!
And trust Thee for the needs of every day,
Assured Thy goodness, and Thy lovingkindness,
With mercies will surround my path alway.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. John 15:9

Herein is love, not that we loved God, BUT THAT HE LOVED US, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Ephesians 2:4-5

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 1 John 4:14

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus said ... For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me. John 6:35,38

O the wonderful love of the Father's heart!
  That would send His Beloved Son,
To this world of hatred, and sin, and strife,
  To redeem guilty sinners undone.

It was fathomless love, unspeakable,
  That would so move the Father's heart,
That His only begotten Son He sent,
  To take the poor sinner's part.

For we were afar off, straying, lost,
  But in mercy, God sent His Son,
Has this marvelous gift of the Father's love
  Your heart and affections won?

We were lost, we were rebels, gone far from God,
  But Jesus for us did die;
Bore our sins on the cross, paid our debt with His
  blood,
  To the Father, we're now brought nigh.

And Jesus so willingly left the throne,
  So willingly went to the cross,
For though He was rich, for our sakes became poor,
  To redeem our poor souls from loss.

It was love, matchless love held Him on the cross,
  'Till for sin He did fully atone:
The nails could never have held Him there,
  But 'twas love, wondrous love alone.

Yes, Jesus was willing to take our place,
  He was willing to bear our sin,
This holy, spotless Lamb of God
  Paid our debt, our poor hearts to win.

The way back to God is open now,
  For all who receive His Son,
For all who accept Him as Saviour now,
  And acknowledge the work He has done.

Through ages to come, in the Father's house,
  He will riches of grace impart,
But we never will fathom or comprehend,
  The love of the Father's heart.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. 1 John 3:1

Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass...
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:3-7

To trust, delight, commit, and rest,
  What comfort this would bring!
If we would only practice this,
  And trust in everything!

It is our Father's purpose that
  Our hearts have peace, and rest;
His wisdom chooses for us
  What is always wise and best.

He asks us just to trust in Him,
  Be happy, and rejoice!
To evermore delight in Him,
  This is the Shepherd's voice.

He wants us to commit to Him,
  Our pathway, day by day,
To let Him take the hand and lead,
  And to direct our way.

He asks us then to rest in Him,
  Yes, this is His delight!
To have our hearts at peace and rest,
  And happy in His sight.

"Let not your heart be troubled." then,
  And "fret not," neither fear;
He wants us undisturbed and calm,
  For He is ever near.

To trust, delight, commit, and rest,
  Were this our daily prayer
'Twould yield the precious fruit of peace
  And freedom from all care.

'Twould keep our hearts rejoicing,
  With a mind at peace and rest,
And happy in our Father's love,
  Whose ways are right and best.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

Whoso trusteth in the LORD, HAPPY IS HE. Proverbs 16:20

Trust in Him AT ALL TIMES. Psalm 62:8

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

He knoweth them that trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Thou remainest ... Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1:11-12

For I am the LORD, I change not. Malachi 3:6

The LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Two words of sweetest comfort
  Which peace and rest assure,
Are "Thou remainest" ever
  Thy Name shall e'er endure;
Though all around is changing
  In this our present scene,
Forever "Thou remainest,"
  And 'tis on Thee I lean.

Then what-so-e'er betide us
  Thy years shall never fail,
Thy love and grace surround us,
  When trials sore assail;
Unchanging, firm foundation
  For every trusting heart,
And peace and joy abundant
  Thy presence doth impart.

"The Lord doth go before thee,"
  Fear not, nor be dismayed;
He will not fail nor leave thee,—
  Why should we be afraid?
Today, tomorrow, ever,
  Eternally, the same,
He never will forsake thee,—
  O bless His worthy Name.

O keep our eyes, Lord Jesus,
  On Thee, the spotless Lamb,
Thou all sufficient object,
  Eternal great "I AM;"
Our Refuge when in trouble,
  Our Comforter when tried,
The Rock of our salvation,
  Our Shepherd, Guard, and Guide.

Forever "Thou remainest,"
  Our Shepherd tried and true,
To safely lead Thy people
  This desert journey through;
Thy goodness and Thy mercy
  Shall follow all the way,
Thy grace is all sufficient
  For every dawning day.
  —Lois Beckwith (1896-1958)

I will trust, and not be afraid. Isaiah 12:2

For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our Guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14