The possibilities of godly men falling into great trouble.
"Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me," etc. The prophet, having reverted in the preceding verses of this chapter to the wickedness of his people, which he had before depicted in most dark and dreadful colours, here proceeds to represent them in their state of captivity, reduced to repentance, and yearning for that Divine interposition which would involve the complete destruction of their enemies. I take the words as exhibiting the possibilities of godly?
I. THE POSSIBILITY OF GODLY MEN FALLING INTO GREAT TROUBLE. "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise." Who is the enemy here referred to scarcely matters, whether Babylon, Edom, or some other persons or peoples. All godly men have ever had their enemies. All who have ever endeavoured to lead a godly life have suffered persecution in some mode and measure. Two things are referred to here concerning the trouble.
1. It was a "fall." Godly men are liable to many falls—falls from health to sickness, from wealth to poverty, from social friendship to desolation; but the greatest fail is moral—the fall of character. To this the best of men are liable, e.g. Moses, David, Peter.
2. The trouble was a "darkness." "When I sit in darkness." Light and darkness are frequently used for prosperity and adversity. There are many things that darken the soul. Disappointment is a cloud, remorse is a cloud, despair is a cloud. Some of these clouds often mantle the mental heaven in sackcloth. Godly men are often permitted to walk in darkness and to have no light.
II. THE POSSIBILITY OF GODLY MEN BEING GLORIOUSLY SUSTAINED IN TROUBLE. "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation," etc. The godly man has a power within him, with the Divine help, of lifting his soul above the crushing cares, sufferings, and sorrows of life. "Rejoice not over me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." How does he do it?
1. By looking at God. "Therefore I will look unto the Lord." The man who fastens his eyes on the sun becomes unconscious of the small things around him. The soul which feels God to be the grand object in its horizon can scarcely fail to be buoyant and courageous.
2. By waiting upon God. "I will wait for the God of my salvation." He is sure to come to my deliverance; it is only a question of time, and I will wait. As the farmer in the snows and storms of winter waits for the vernal season, certain that it will come, so the godly man, in trial, waits for God's approach.
3. By trusting in God. "My God will hear me." He has promised,, to do so; he has done so before; he is a prayer hearing God. He has said, "Unto that man will I look," etc.
4. By submitting to God. "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him." I will not repine nor rebel under my suffering; I will bow to his will, for I deserve punishment, as I have sinned against him. The sufferings I endure are insignificant compared to the sins I have committed.
5. By hoping for God. "He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness." "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh with the morning." Thus it is possible for godly men to rise in courage and even triumph in the greatest calamities. Sunk in the deepest affliction, they may look their enemies in the face and say, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise." Though l am now down, I shall rise again. Blessed hope!
"It whispers o'er the cradled child
Fast locked in peaceful sleep,
Ere its pure soul is sin beguiled,
Ere sorrow bids it weep.
"It soothes the mother's ear with hope,
Like sweet bells' silver chime,
And bodies forth the unknown scope
Of dark, mysterious Time!
"'Tis heard in manhood's risen day,
And nerves the soul to might,
When life shines forth with fullest ray,
Forewarning least of night.
"It speaks of noble ends to gain,
A world to mend by love
That tempers strength of hand and brain
With softness of the dove.
"It falls upon the aged ear
Though deaf to human voice,
And when man's evening doses drear,
It bids him still rejoice.
"It tells of bliss beyond the grave,
The parted souls to thrill—
The guerdon of the truly brave
Who fought the powers of ill."
(Household Words.)
―D.T.