Temporal Troubles

By the late DEAN LAW, D.D.

(Continued from page 175.)

1. Poverty. Diversity of grade rules all society. Heavenly wisdom thus orders for general good, and opens a door through which many blessings pass. But it is common for the low to mark with envy the exalted rank. They think abundance shuts out many cares, and that ease dwells with wealth. It is needless to expose this obvious error. It is better to remind that Scripture gives especial cordials to the poor. Lowliness is not an unfavoured lot. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” (James ii. 5). If poverty excluded grace, the poor might well bewail. But let them sing when they peruse, “Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called,” but “base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen” (I Cor. i. 26, 28). Let the son of toil exult in reading “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, that He may set him with princes, even with the princes of His people” (Psa. cxiii. 7, 8). Remember, too, the lowly path is sanctified by Jesus’ step. Though He was Sovereign of all, no palace was His home. In early days the workshop was His constant resort; and when He entered on His public course, He had not where to lay His head. Both by water and by land He borrows what His needs require. Poor women shared with Him their scanty fare; and when His body rested for three days in the grave, His tomb was not His own. Let not the poor then scorn a lot so sanctified.

But poverty has many shades. Its darkest hue is abject penury. Cases occur which no forethought could avert, when loss of strength, deficiency of work, domestic trials, or other trouble in some pinching form, reduce to emptiness the means of living. Heavy indeed is this burden, and strong faith only can sustain. But this is the time for grace to triumph over nature’s fears. Hope will pierce the intervening clouds, and see God on His all-arranging throne, reigning, loving, blessing. The promise brightens, “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. iv. 19). Streams of support may seem all dry, but His fullness is for ever full. The heart is now attuned to sing, “Though the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stall; yet I will rejoice in the Lord: I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab. iii. 17, 18).

This, too, is the time when wrestling prayer refuses to let God go; and is such prayer without success? The annals of God’s saints teem with records of the largest answers. Unexpected channels most unexpectedly are opened. Hands most unlikely bring unlooked-for aid. The truth is realised, “There is nothing too hard for the Lord to do.” It is for ever true, “When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them” (Isa. xli. 17).

1. Disappointed Hopes. The desire to prosper exists with heavenly grace. It is not real humility to shun the seat of eminence. Success may bring extended influence, and thus do work for God. Let no one then condemn the straining efforts in the race of life. But failure is a common condition. Instead of honour there is neglect. Instead of prominence there is obscurity. Elevation eludes the grasp. Depression then is prone to sadden. The doubt may trouble, where are the promises, “Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psa. i. 3). “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. vi. 33). But pause. Let no distrust of God arise. He still holds His righteous sceptre. He knows the temper of each inner man. One can walk steadily, where another would be giddy and soon fall. All shoulders cannot bear like weights. Success might ruin, and therefore is most graciously denied. It is wisdom to prevent what painful discipline could scarcely remedy. Hence disappointment is no miscarriage of God’s truth. Such cross may be a blessing in disguise. Lest Paul should be exalted above measure, there came a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet him. Let the baffled rest in hope that snares are thus escaped, and safety’s path preserved. Greatness may not make truly great. Fame among men may not be honour from above.

2. Reproach. Believers must expect the hatred of the world. The warning is most clear, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John xv. 19). Hatred then will incessantly assault. Its armoury is full of deadly weapons; but chief among them is the tongue, “set on fire of hell.” It is still true of the ungodly, “their throat is an open sepulchre; the poison of asps is under their lips.” Sometimes malicious exaggeration distorts; and truth is told so as to insinuate a lie. Sometimes a hint is dropped, which proves a seed whence evil crops spring up. Thus wounds are slyly given, and the fair name maligned. Sometimes falsehood stalks forth, and boldly scatters its vile calumnies. In this suffering the foremost was our blessed Lord. “The world hated Me before it hated you” (John xv. 18). If sinless perfection could escape, surely against Him no evil tongue would have moved. But His blamelessness envenomed man’s reproach. “They laid to My charge things that I knew not.” He is reviled as worse than the worst of men. “He hath a devil.” But as a lamb before its shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth, except in extenuating prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Let the reviled, then, glory in the thought! Some lineaments of the Holy Master awaken such attacks; these are the trials of the narrow way; the separate people have this heritage of hate.

But when the storm beats pitilessly, heavenly shelter often intercepts all hurt. True is the word, “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy presence from the pride of man: Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues” (Psa. xxxi. 20).

It may not be ignored, that the cause of the reviled is especially espoused by God; and, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” Is it not written, “It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; but to you who are troubled rest with us” (II Thess. i. 6, 7). And again, “Hearken unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their reviling. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but My righteousness shall be for ever, and My salvation from generation to generation” (Isaiah ii. 7).

Think, too, the reviled have claim to especial blessings. The lips of man reproach. The lips of Jesus thus solace. Which scale preponderates? “Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. v. 11, 12). Happy they who inherit Moses’ spirit. He “esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Heb. xi. 26). The faithful word draws near with a refreshing cordial. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified” (I Peter iv. 14). Welcome reproach which thus brings glory to the Lord!

1. Injuries. But sometimes hatred rests not in inward feeling or mere speech. Injustice may deal wrongly. Oppression may do ruinous work. Malevolence may defraud. This is the time for faith to realise that its substance is far above the skies. The true riches are not here. They are where rust and moth cannot corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. No despoiling hand can reach them. Our inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled; it fadeth not away; it is laid up in heaven for those who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter i. 4, 5).

The elders of the household of faith took joyfully the “spoiling of their goods, knowing that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance” (Heb. x. 34). Christian annals are dark with tales of persecuting rage. But in this darkness there is light. The testimony is ever sure, “All things are yours, things present, and things to come” (I Cor. iii. 21). “The meek shall inherit the earth.” He is upraised above all injury, who can say, All things are mine in God.

1. Desertion. Sweet is the tenderness of sympathy. Trials are bereft of bitterness, when a loving friend is near to share the sorrow, and to whisper a sustaining word. A kindly smile makes heavy burdens light. But this support is not always found. The summer brook is often dry. The weary traveller seeks its stream in vain. Thus sufferers may meet suffering alone—without an earthly arm on which to lean. But now faith reminds—this loneliness was known by Jesus. He has preceded in this solitary way. In His extremest need, they all forsook Him and fled. Hear the plaintive sigh of Paul: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (II Tim. i. 15). And again: “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” But had he no help? Was there no succour near? Did he realise unmitigated desertion? Hear his experience: “Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (II Tim. iv. 16, 17). He felt “I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.” We miss no friend when we can see His smile. We need no human prop when we can lean on Him. Happy they who can clasp to the heart the assurance of Christ’s fellow-feeling. “We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. iv. 15). When friends desert, listen to His Word: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isa. xli. 10).

Details in long train might still be added, and the extent of trouble not be traversed. Most hearts have some peculiar bitterness. An enlarged catalogue would not contain each form of woe. But these are general cordials, which may be adapted to most cases. The troubled may always find comfort in words general as these: “He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee” (Job v. 19). “Thou art my hiding-place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance” (Psa. xxxii. 7). “Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me again from the depths of the earth” (Psa. lxxi. 20).

Some simple rules are now adjoined to promote right use of these cordials.

1. Labour with earnest diligence for an increase of faith. This grace in exercise prevents sinking amid billows. It grasps the Saviour’s hand, and is kept up. It sees His smile, and darkness disappears. It is a tender and a teaching word—”Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me” (John xiv. 1). Thus, faith is the barrier which trouble cannot pass. Who will not pray, “Lord, increase our faith”?

2. Frequent with unremitting constancy the throne of grace. Here help is ready for every time of need. There are no limits in the precept, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. iv. 6, 7). Let distress call to prayer and praise; then peace, flowing like a river, shall submerge the trouble.

3. Maintain a holy walk. Godliness has the “promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (I Tim. iv. 8). “The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psa. lxxxiv. 2). Trouble of conscience terribly augments other troubles. Relief can only come from God; and none can claim God’s help whose wills are not conformed to His.

4. Use your appointed Burden-bearer. Christ is all things to His people. Not only is His work their uttermost salvation; not only does He purchase for them deliverance from wrath and give eternal life, but He presents Himself their shelter from each storm—their refuge in each need—their present help in every trouble. They are exhorted to bring every care and cast it upon Him, knowing that He careth for them (I Peter v. 7). Strength in ourselves is utter weakness; but why should our shoulders bear what He stands ready to remove?

5. Consider how short is trouble’s day. “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Cor. iv. 17). However keen the present anguish may be, the believer knows that yet a little while and he shall be raised far above its reach. Let trouble do its worst, its worst cannot last long.

6. Let self-examination be sincere and deep. The rod is God’s appointed messenger. It is not mute. It calls to the inquiry: Is there not purport in this visitation? Let the prayer go forth, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. cxxxix. 23, 24). Happy the trouble which detects some lurking evil, rescues from some secret snare, shows an unsuspected leak in the frail bark, expels some lingering lust, and establishes the undivided rule of “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

The final counsel shall be the Lord’s precept, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee; and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psa. l. 15). The testimony will follow—”This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (Psa. xxxiv. 6).

Holy Comforter, fulfil Thine office, and give some cordial through these words!

(From Christian Cordials—1873.)