In the world you shall have tribulation

Posted : 27 Feb, 2013 02:26 AM

Psalm 119:23 Princes also did sit and speak against me; but Your servant did meditate in Your statutes.





David might well give his testimony to "the words of the Lord,"

that they were "tried words," (Prayer-book translation); for

perhaps no one had ever tried them more than himself, and

certainly no one had more experience of their faithfulness,

sweetness, and support. Saul and his "princes might indeed

sit and speak against him;" but he had a resource, of which

they could never deprive him-"Not as the world gives, give I

unto you." As our blessed Master was employed in

communion with His Father, and delighting in His work at the

time when the "princes did sit and speak against him;" so,

under similar circumstances of trial, this faithful servant of

God, by meditation in the Lord's statutes, extracted spiritual

food for his support; and in this strength of his God he was

enabled to "suffer according to His will, and to commit the

keeping of his soul to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful

Creator."

The children of Israel in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and the

disciples of Christ in the early ages of the Church, have

severally found "this same affliction to be accomplished in

themselves." God is pleased to permit it, to show "that his

kingdom is not of this world," to wean His people from earthly dependencies, and to bring out before the world a more full

testimony of His name. One other reason is suggested by this

verse-to make His word more precious by the experience of

its sustaining consolation in the conflict with the power of the

world. Often, indeed, from a lack of a present application of

the word,- young Christians especially are in danger of being

put to rebuke by the scorner's sneer. The habit of scriptural

meditation will realize to them a present God, speaking "words

of spirit and life" to their souls. The importance, therefore, of

an accurate and well-digested acquaintance with this precious

book cannot be too highly estimated. In the Christian's conflict

it is "the sword of the Spirit," which, if it be kept bright by

constant use, will never be wielded without the victory of faith.

Such powerful support does it give against fainting under

persecution, that the good soldier may ever be ready to thank

God, and to take courage. Christ has left it, indeed, as the

portion of His people-"In the world you shall have tribulation;"

counterbalanced, however, most abundantly, by the portion

which they enjoy in Him-"In Me you shall have peace." If,

therefore, the one-half of this portion may seem hard, the

whole legacy is such as no servant of Christ can refuse to

accept, or indeed will receive without thankfulness.



by

Charles Bridges

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