dljrn04
View Profile
History
|
Another note of the child of sorrow
Posted : 20 Aug, 2013 05:37 AM
Psalm 119:153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget Your law.
Another note of the child of sorrow! Hated by the world-vexed
by his restless enemy-chastened by his God-burdened with
his "body of death"-what else can he do but cry-Consider my
affliction! How manifestly is this world, not our rest, but our
exercise for rest! Well is it that our "days are few," when they
are so "evil." But how could we hold on as we do, had we not
our Savior's pitying heart and Almighty help? The want of this
sympathy was the overwhelming sorrow, that well-near "broke
His" sorrowing "heart"-"I looked for some to take pity, but
there was none; and for comforters, but I found none." This
depth of trial combined with every other part of His unknown
sufferings to make Him "such an High Priest as became us,"
"touched with the feeling of our infirmities"; considering our
afflictions: and, "in that He Himself has suffered being
tempted, able to support them that are tempted." With what
sympathy did He consider the affliction of His people in
Egypt!-"I have surely seen the affliction of My people which
are; in Egypt, and I know their sorrows." At a subsequent
period-"his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel"-a
cheering example of that compassionate interest, with which
"in all His people's afflictions He is afflicted." Well may His
people take encouragement to pray, Consider my affliction.
"Now, therefore, let not all the trouble seem little before You,
that has come upon us."
Yet is He not only sympathizing to consider, but mighty to
deliver. "Who is this glorious" conqueror with His "dyed
garments" of victory-"traveling in the greatness of His
strength? I that speak in righteousness-mighty to save." Such
did the noble confessors in Babylon-such did Daniel in the den of lions-find Him, fully justifying their unwavering
confidence in His love and power. And what age of the
Church has been wanting in testimony, that "the Lord knows
how to deliver the godly out of temptations," and that "He who
has delivered, does deliver, and will even to the end deliver?"
The consciousness that we do not forget His law, is our plea,
that He would consider our affliction, and deliver us; and is of
itself an evidence, that the affliction has performed its
appointed work. Let me then expect in my affliction the
fulfillment of His gracious promise-"Because he has set his
love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on
high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me,
and "I will deliver him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver
him, and honor him." In the midst of my trials I would prepare
my hymn of praise for His kind consideration and faithful
deliverance-"I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy: for You
have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in
adversities, and have not shut me up into the hand of the
enemy; You have set my feet in a large room!" Let me then
remember my affliction, only as it may be the means of
increasing my acquaintance with my tender and Almighty
friend. Poor and afflicted as I may be, let me be more poor
and afflicted still, if I may but have fresh evidence that He
"thinks upon me"-that He considers my affliction, and in His
own gracious time and way will deliver me.
by
Charles Bridges
Post Reply
|