xxvi. 16. _"Lord, in trouble," &c._
Every man knows what trouble is; what it is to lie under the
chastening hand of God. In the day of trouble, we feel our dependence
on external help. Some in adversity seek friends who they neglect in
prosperity. Happy is he who, when trouble comes, finds himself
surrounded by true friends. Acquire the art of keeping your friends.
But there are troubles to which human sympathy and help are
inadequate. Times when men's thoughts drift towards God. Trouble
reminds us of the unseen, the spiritual, the external. It quickens
the spiritual sense by casting the fierce light of eternity on the
things of time. Men visit God in trouble by pouring out to Him their
prayers.
+I. Some pray in trouble, who are prayerless at other times.+
Multitudes live entirely without prayer. Taught by mothers in
infancy. For a considerable part of ripening youth they maintained
the habit. But began to neglect, were afraid of ridicule, or fell
into sinful indulgence; it would appal them to think how long it is
since they poured out one prayer to God. Surprising that with God so
near, so many should habitually turn away and never seek His face.
But some heavy trouble comes. They pause, recollect themselves,
remember the long years of misspent time, pray, promise and vow
(H. E. I., 69).
Does this always continue when the trouble has departed? Is not this
often the history? The cloud breaks, the sun bursts out again, the
man forgets that the sun was ever hid. Ship in storm. Cries, prayers,
vows. Ship is saved. Prayers cease; revelry is resumed. How often on
the bed of sickness are prayers and promises uttered which are
forgotten with returning health. Pharaoh alarmed by the successive
plagues. Besought Moses to pray. Hardened his heart again. The
children of Israel repeatedly fell into idolatry. Visited with
judgments. Cried to the Lord. When punishment was withdrawn returned
to the sin. Conviction is not conversion; awakening not repentance.
If the heart remains unchanged, a man will only pray as long as he is
alarmed (H. E. I., 3877-3879).
+II. Some begin to pray in trouble, and continue to pray afterwards.+
Many have had to thank God for trouble. Borne along the stream of
prosperity towards destruction. Some obstruction. It was unwelcome.
It compelled examination. It revealed the yawning falls a little way
beyond. Just in time to return. Every human soul requires one such
grand interruption in its career. Grace of God employs various means
for its effectuation. Trouble is one (Hosea v. 15). The soul's deep
sin, danger, need, has been revealed. The cry has gone up to heaven.
It was the cry of true repentance and humble faith in the Crucified
One. Comes from the trouble a new man--a praying man (Manasseh,
2 Chron. xxxiii. 10-13. The prodigal son, Luke xv. 14-21).
+III. Some pray habitually, but especially in trouble.+ Prayer is the
special characteristic of a Christian. It is his "vital breath." He
cannot fail to establish stated seasons of prayer, both public and
private. He endeavours to maintain the spirit of prayer. By its aid
the blood of the spiritual life is kept in circulation. An important
sense in which he prays "without ceasing" (H. E. I., 3866-3879;
P. D., 2839). And every remarkable event is made the occasion of
special prayer. Certainly trouble is one of these. Do you not go to
God in your sorrows, as a child goes to his father or his mother?
Bishop Reynolds says: "A Godly heart is like those flowers which shut
when the sun sets, and open again when the sun returns and shines
upon them. Hannah prayed silently so long as she was in bitterness of
spirit; but as soon as God answered her prayer and filled her heart
with joy, presently her mouth was enlarged into a song of
thanksgiving." In trouble you pray, 1. for deliverance, in submission
to the Divine will. 2. More especially for a sanctified use of
trouble; complete submission, faith, purification (Phil. iv. 6,
7).--_J. Rawlinson._