xxxiii. 2. _O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for
Thee: be Thou their arm every morning, our salvation also
in the time of trouble._
Like its predecessor, this prophecy belongs to the time of distress
and fear incident on the threatened Assyrian invasion. Dependence on
Egypt had failed. So had Hezekiah's present to the invader. He had
accepted the present, but had still pressed on. The south of Judah
was covered with his soldiers. Isaiah lifts up this prayer for his
country. An example to Christians to interest themselves in the
politics of their country, and to include them in their prayers. We
have never known the terrible presence of an invader; but there is
always occasion for appeal to the Divine Governor and Helper. It is
no mark of spirituality of mind to exclude national affairs from
thought, as belonging to a sphere that has nothing to do with God or
with prayer.
The prophet's eye saw, in the immediate future, the frustration of
the invader's plans. The God of Israel would interpose. The invasion
was unjust; the negotiations had been conducted deceitfully by the
enemy; ruin would fall on his head (ver. 1). But the certainty of
deliverance was no reason for the relaxation of effort, or for
abstinence from prayer. God's promise is the encouragement and
directory of prayer. Therefore he cries, "O Lord, be gracious unto
us." &c.
The prayer of the text is applicable to any time of trouble in the
personal experience of any Christian. It is a time that may come to
any one. It should enter into our calculations about the future,
however exempt from it at present. It should be prepared for, as for
old age, or death. We never know when it hangs over us, nor in what
form. To all it comes occasionally; to some frequently; to some
constantly; to some severely. Often from quarters whence least
expected. Things and persons most precious to us are sometimes the
occasion of bitterest grief. The common lot. We can only really
prepare for it by the possession of resource which it cannot
diminish. This is one of the points at which Christians have so
largely the advantage over others. God is always with them, and
always accessible.
Our text represents the saint's attitude in "the time of trouble." He
cries to God and waits and waits as he cries.