April 10

Morning

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. — Luke 23:33 BSB

The hill of comfort is Calvary. The house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross. The temple of heavenly blessing stands upon the cleft rock, split by the spear that pierced His side. No scene in sacred history brings more joy to the soul than the tragedy of Calvary.

Light springs forth from the darkness of Golgotha’s noonday midnight! Every blessing blooms sweetly under the shadow of the cross that was once cursed. In that place of thirst, grace has dug a fountain that gushes with crystal-clear water, and every drop is powerful enough to soothe the woes of all humanity!

You who have known seasons of trouble will confess that it wasn’t on Mount Olivet where you found comfort, nor on Mount Sinai. It was at Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha where you found consolation. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken away the bitterness of your own life. The scourge of Gabbatha has driven away your worries. The groans of Calvary have brought you rich and rare comfort.

We would never have known the height and depth of Christ’s love if He had not died, nor could we comprehend the Father’s deep affection if He had not given His Son to die. The ordinary mercies we enjoy daily speak of love, just as the sound of a seashell whispers of the ocean from which it came. But if we want to hear the roar of the ocean itself, we must look beyond everyday blessings and gaze at the events of the crucifixion. Whoever desires to know love, let them go to Calvary and behold the Man of sorrows dying!

Evening

For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me — Acts 27:23 BSB

A long storm and darkness, combined with the imminent danger of shipwreck, left the crew of the ship in despair, yet there was one man among them who remained perfectly calm. It was Paul, who reassured them all with his words. Veteran Roman soldiers and seasoned sailors were aboard, yet it was Paul, a Jewish prisoner, who had more courage than any of them. He had a secret source of strength—the Lord Jesus had sent a heavenly messenger to whisper words of comfort in his ear, so his face shone with peace, and he spoke with calm assurance.

If we sincerely fear the Lord, we too can expect divine help when our situation is most desperate. Angels are not hindered by storms or darkness. Seraphim consider it no shame to visit the humblest member of God’s family. Even though angelic visits may seem rare during normal times, they will be frequent in our nights of storm and trial. Earthly friends may abandon us when we are under pressure, but our fellowship with the heavenly realm will grow richer. In the strength of words sent to us from God’s throne, we will find the courage to face even the worst trials.

Dear reader, are you in distress? Ask for special help from above. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if you earnestly seek His presence now, He will not withhold it from you. Those who, like Paul, have had the angel of God stand by them in the midst of a storm, when anchors have failed and rocks are near, know the comfort of the Lord’s presence.

"O angel of my God, be near,
Amid the darkness hush my fear;
Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,
Your presence, Lord, shall comfort me."