Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise him… I. WE HAVE FIRM GROUNDS FOR OUR TRUST IN GOD FROM THOSE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD WHICH ENABLE AND DISPOSE HIM TO HELP US. When we place our trust in God we run no risks, because there is nothing which infinite power cannot accomplish; nothing fit and expedient for us which infinite goodness is not disposed to grant; no promises of help can have been made us by a God of truth and holiness which will not be exactly and punctually fulfilled. II. HAVE AN EYE TO THE EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO HAVE THUS PLACED THEIR TRUST IN GOD, AND HAVE FOUND HELP IN THE TIME OF NEED. Wonderful is that instance of an unshaken confidence in God, which is displayed for our instruction, and recorded for our imitation, in the history of the sufferings and of the patience of Job. III. Endeavour to STRENGTHEN OUR RELIANCE ON GOD FROM THE EXPERIENCE WE OURSELVES HAVE HAD OF HIS FORMER LOVINGKINDNESS TOWARDS US. To God we owe our being, and those blessings which we either now do, or ever did, enjoy. There are many calamities incident to men which we have, through the goodness of God, escaped. He who hath delivered us from so great dangers, and doth deliver, in Him we may safely trust, that He will yet deliver us. Is the Lord's hand, that has been so often stretched forth for our help, since shortened, that it can no longer save? Or is His ear, that has been so often opened to our prayers, grown heavy, that it can no more hear? (Bishop Smalridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. |
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