[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0809":3},"AUGUST 9\r\nBlessed is the man whose strength is in thee ... who passing  through the valley of weeping, make it a well (Psalm 84:5, 6).\r\nComfort does not come to the light-hearted and merry. We must go down into \"depths\" if we would experience this most precious of\r\nGod's gifts-comfort, and thus be prepared to be coworkers together with Him.\r\nWhen night-needful night-gathers over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight\r\nwithin their folded petals, there shall never be wanting, even in\r\nthe thickest darkness, drops of heavenly dew, dew which falls only when the sun has gone.\r\n\r\nI have been through the valley of weeping, The valley of sorrow and pain;\r\nBut the \"God of all comfort\" was with me, At hand to uphold and sustain.\r\nAs the earth needs the clouds and sunshine, Our souls need both sorrow and joy;\r\nSo He places us oft in the furnace,  The dross from the gold to destroy.\r\nWhen he leads thro' some valley of trouble, His omnipotent hand we trace;\r\nFor the trials and sorrows He sends us, Are part of His lessons in grace.\r\nOft we shrink from the purging and pruning,\r\nForgetting the Husbandman knows\r\nThat the deeper the cutting and paring, The richer the cluster that grows.\r\nWell He knows that affliction is needed;\r\nHe has a wise purpose in view,\r\nAnd in the dark valley He whispers, \"Hereafter Thou'lt know what I do.\"\r\nAs we travel thro' life's shadow'd valley, Fresh springs of His love ever rise;\r\nAnd we learn that our sorrows and losses, Are blessings just sent in disguise.\r\nSo we'll follow wherever He leadeth, Let the path be dreary or bright;\r\nFor we've proved that our God can give comfort; Our God can give songs in the night.",1783499793285]