Hated by the world

Posted : 21 Aug, 2013 02:18 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

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