Disconsolate

One of my favorite old hymns is “Come, Ye Disconsolate.” I suppose that’s kind of obscure. But it has a beautiful melody, and it contains two wonderful words. “Come” is a generous invitation, and “disconsolate” is a descriptive word that describes itself. Even if we didn’t know the specific meaning, we can figure out that it has to do with sadness. The dictionary definition is “without consolation or comfort.”

Why am I drawn to that word? Probably because we have all been in that dark place at some time or other. Sometimes there is nothing and noone on earth that can console us. I don’t have adequate words to comfort someone in deep distress. But God does. He offers His invitation to all who are weary and heavy laden (which includes all of us) to come to Him and find rest as He bears the heavy yoke of our burdens (Matthew 11:28).

You can listen to the song I mentioned by clicking on the link at the end of this blog. But sometimes it’s good to just read the lyrics and let them sink in. So here is the first verse:

Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish,

Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel;

Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;

Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal. 

That last line is my favorite. Those are words of hope. Words of comfort. Words of encouragement. No matter what we are going through, we can be consoled by the Spirit of God who speaks the healing of heaven into our hearts.

What are you facing today? You may not have immediate deliverance from it; but you can embrace these words of encouragement from God’s Word. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).

Do you have any valid reason for being “disconsolate” today? If so, will you let God’s promise and the lyrics of this song to console you?

“Come, Ye Disconsolate,” from “A Grandmother’s Legacy”