The day of trouble.
Such a day comes sooner or later to all. Nations have their "day of trouble," when they are visited with pestilence, famine, or war, or torn by internal strifes. Individuals also have their "day of trouble" (Job 5:6, Job 5:7). Trouble is a test. It shows what manner of persons we are. Happy are we, if, like the king and people of this psalm, trouble brings us nearer to God and to one another in love and service! The day of trouble should—
I. DRIVE THE SOUL TO GOD. In prosperity there are many helps, but in adversity there is but one. God is the true Refuge. His ear is ever open, and can "hear." His hand is ever stretched out, and can "defend." His resources are infinite, and he can "strengthen us out of Zion." The name here given to God, "the God of Jacob," is richly suggestive. It holds out hope to the sinful; for God was very merciful to Jacob. It assures comfort to the distressed; for God was with Jacob, to keep him during all his wanderings. It encourages trust, for God had a gracious purpose with Jacob, and made all the trials of his life contribute to his moral advancement. "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God!" (Psalms 146:5).
II. BRING ALL THE GOOD TOGETHER IN HOLY SERVICE. In face of a common danger, there is a tendency to unite. So "Pilate and Herod were made friends" (Luke 23:12). So Jehoshaphat and the King of Israel entered into alliance (1 Kings 22:2). So, in a nobler way, God's people come together for mutual edification and comfort, and to call upon the Name of the Lord (Malachi 3:16). The Jews had the temple and the sacrifices, and the high priest to plead for them. But we have greater privileges. For us our great High Priest, "having offered one sacrifice for sin for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" (Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:13). We have common dangers and needs, and can do much to help one another. When David was in trouble in the wood of Ziph, Jonathan went down to him, and strengthened his hands in God. When Peter was in prison, and in peril of death, "prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him" (Acts 12:5). When the Jerusalem Christians were in sore straits, the sympathies of their fellow-Christians in happier circumstances were called forth in their behalf (Romans 15:26). So when the truth is assailed, and the interests of the kingdom are endangered, it is the duty of all true lovers of Christ to band together, and by prayer and holy effort to "contend for the faith once delivered to the saints."
III. STRENGTHEN OUR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUPREME PRINCIPLES OF RIGHT. There are many things dear to us which we may have to defend, but we must make a difference. "The day of trouble" is a searching and a sifting time. In drawing near to God, and by mutual warnings, we find out what is really of the highest value; what we may let go, and what we should keep; what we may safely relinquish, and what we should fight for to the last gasp; what is only of temporary or of secondary importance, and what is essential and more to be valued than all worldly and personal advantages, or even life itself (Daniel 3:16-18; Acts 4:18-20).
IV. PREPARE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE COMING VICTORY OF GOOD OVER EVIL. Waiting upon God gives hope. Praying and working inspire confidence. Imagination, kindled by the thought of God's Name, portrays in glowing colours the near deliverance. There is something very inspiriting in the "I know" of the psalmist. Job says, "I know" (Job 19:25); Paul says, "I know" (2 Timothy 1:12); and so we may join with the psalmist in saying, "Now know I that the Lord sayeth his anointed." We are too apt to think only of our troubles; but let us rather "remember the Name of the Lord." We are too ready to wish the defeat of our opponents, but let us rather seek the vindication of truth and the triumph of right, and, if God will, the transformation of foes into friends, so that they, as well as we, may share in the joys of the great day.—W.F.