A selfish man in trouble is almost impossible to comfort. Why? Because all his wells of comfort are dug inside himself. And when he is sad, every one of those wells runs dry.

But a large-hearted believer, full of love for God's people, has other springs to draw from when his own wells fail. He can go to his God first and find abundant help there. And he can find real comfort in things beyond himself—in what God is doing in the world, in his nation, and above all, in the church.

David wrote this psalm in deep sorrow. Listen to him: "I am like an owl in the desert. I keep watch, like a sparrow alone on a rooftop." The only way he could comfort himself was by remembering this: God will arise and have mercy on Zion. Though David was crushed, Zion would prosper. Though his own situation was desperate, Zion would be lifted up.

Christian! Learn to comfort yourself in God's gracious dealings with his church. If the church is so precious to your Master, shouldn't it be precious above all else to you? Yes, your road may be dark. But can't you gladden your heart with the triumphs of the cross? With the spread of his truth? Our personal troubles shrink when we look up to see what God has done, what he is doing, and what glorious things he will yet do for his church.

Here's the prescription, believer, whenever your heart is heavy and your spirit is crushed: forget yourself and your little concerns for a moment. Seek instead the welfare and prosperity of Zion. When you bend your knee to pray, don't limit your prayers to the narrow circle of your own troubles, hard as they may be. Send out your prayers for the church's prosperity! "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem"—and your own soul will be refreshed.