Danger and deliverance.
It is probable that the danger to which the psalmist was exposed was due to a very serious illness, threatening to end in death. It is certain that this is the most common danger we have to confront now. We look, therefore, at—
I. A RECURRING EVIL IN OUR MORTAL LIFE—SICKNESS. With so complicated a structure as the human frame, and so intricate a system as that which has to be kept in working order, if we are to be in perfect health, it is no marvel that there should be frequent disorder within. And though improved sanitary conditions and the advance of physiological and medical science are favorable to health and long life, yet the increasing artificiality and luxuriousness of our age are counteracting forces; so that it may be fairly questioned whether serious sickness, in more varied forms than ever, is not as often a recurring feature of life as it was in the psalmist's day.
II. ITS COMMON ATTENDANTS. These are:
1. Pain; to which no reference is made in the text, though it may be included in "trouble and sorrow" (Psalms 116:3).
2. Dependence; being so reduced that the feet would fall (Psalms 116:8) without help from a friendly hand; the strong man, accustomed to sustain others, is brought down in a few days, or even hours, to depend on the ministry of the servant or the child.
3. Displacement. The must serious "trouble" (Psalms 116:3) which worries and perplexes the busy man is found in being laid aside from his activities; it is nothing less than "sorrow" to him to feel that his work is undone, and that he does not know how provision is to be made for his home. Many and bitter are the tears (Psalms 116:8) of anxiety and distress.
4. The apparent approach of death. (Psalms 116:3.) How bitter to the soul is the vision of death, when it comes in the midst of life, is well exemplified in the grief of Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:1-22.); so also Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27). It is not the bodily sufferings endured at death which men fear; it is the departure from kindred and friends, the laying down of work and leaving a happy sphere of usefulness, the going away from so much that is fair and good, leaving the light and joy and hope that our soul has loved below. Even to him who is looking for so much that is better beyond, this deep feeling of regret is not unnatural or unbecoming.
5. Despondency. (Psalms 116:10, Psalms 116:11.) As with the psalmist, so is it often with us: when the strength is feeble, the spirits are low; we are distrustful; we begin to doubt those in whom we did confide; we come, hastily and without ground, to unfavorable conclusions; we think we are forgotten, ill-treated, abandoned.
III. ITS ALWAYS PRESENT AND MOST PRECIOUS REFUGE. "Then called I upon the Name of the Lord," etc. (Psalms 116:4). Him whom we are apt to overlook in the light, we remember when the shadows fall. To him who, though unperceived, is ever at our right hand we gladly turn, when human helpers and our own resources fail us. God is "our very present Help in trouble." We are sure of his pity, and we may ask for the exercise of his power. We know that he who is interested in the flowers of the field and the birds of the air (Matthew 6:1-34.) will not suffer one of his own children to die until his hour has fully come; that "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalms 116:15). Who shall estimate the measure of comfort and relief which afflicted humanity has found in submission to the will and prayer for the succor of the heavenly Friend!
IV. ITS MERCIFUL REMOVAL. (Psalms 116:5-8.) Recovery from illness, though a very ordinary and familiar thing, is a reason for reverent wonder. How is it that the organ which is impaired, after getting worse and worse and becoming less and less effective recovers its efficiency, and begins to do its proper work again? This we do not under stand. We can only say that the Divine Lord of our life has implanted recuperative powers within us which bring about recovery, and make us well and strong. We supply the ascertained conditions, but the unseen Hand does the work. God is the Healer of our sicknesses. It is not only piety, but truth, to say, "I was brought low, and he helped me" (Psalms 116:6).
V. THE GLADNESS AND GRATITUDE OF CONVALESCENCE, (Psalms 116:1, Psalms 116:2, Psalms 116:5, Psalms 116:7-9, Psalms 116:13, Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:16-19.) There is a tone of great gladness of heart—perhaps we may detect some exuberance of spirit—in this outpouring. Is not the affliction amply repaid by the joy of returning strength and the sense of newness of life and power. Let such gladness always rake the form of gratitude and praise; let it "lift up its eyes to heaven and say, Father, I thank thee." There should be:
1. Gratitude; the distinct reference of the good received to God himself, "Thou hast dealt bountifully with me" (Psalms 116:7, Psalms 116:8).
2. Praise—offered in the sanctuary as well as in the home (Psalms 116:17-19).
3. Love. The hearing and answering of our prayer may well deepen our attachment to our loving and faithful Lord (Psalms 116:1).
4. Reconsecration. (Psalms 116:2, Psalms 116:16.) The best spiritual result of this experience of sickness and recovery is the solemn renewal of the vow by which we first yielded ourselves to the Person and the service of our Savior.