In Trouble, On Trial, With Trust

The Psalm begins with six statements of very personal trouble. Maybe you’ve been there!

1. “I cried unto God with my voice, unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 
2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: 
3. My sore ran in the night, and ceased not: 
4. My soul refused to be comforted. 
5. I remembered God, and was troubled: 
6. I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.”

This leads the Psalmist to put God on trial as it were, by asking six questions of God’s character, questions some of you may currently be asking.

1. “Will the Lord cast off for ever? 
2. And will he be favourable no more? 
3. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? 
4. Doth his promise fail for evermore? 
5. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? 
6. Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.”

The six-fold answer the Psalmist receives restores his trust in his Lord. May it do the same for us.

First, three statements where the Psalmist looks for evidence: he looks up, he looks back and he looks around, and considers all God has done and is doing.

This leads him to the pivotal statement – his conclusion – the problem is not that God has not come to us in our trouble, but we have not come to Him. God is there! He still cares! 

Then follows three statements where the Psalmist sets out the evidence he has considered.

“And I said, This is my infirmity: but

1. I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 
2. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 
3. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talkof thy doings. 

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is sogreat a God as our God? 

1. Thou art the God that doest wonders: 
2. Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 
3. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.”

He is a God who redeems us out of the hard bondage of sin and Satan; to the peace His own glorious presence. Have you been redeemed? Do you know that peace?

The Psalmist goes on to end the Psalm by detailing God’s work of redemption. He ends with the words:

“Thou leddest thy people like a flock.” 

And the Great Shepherd still leads His redeemed today. Praise the Lord.