Our "nugget" for today is taken from another of David's psalms written on an occasion of great distress because of his enemies (v.1). The text, like so much of God's word, lends itself to many applications. Beneath its precise interpretation lie broad principles for our benefit.
Consider first the occasion. David writes "in the day of my trouble." We live in a troubled and troublesome world. Few, if any among us will live life in a trouble free world. Job wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward [Job 5:6-7]." And our Savior candidly declared to His own, "… in the world ye shall have tribulation… [John 16:33b]." In a world where sin has thrown everything out of order, trouble is a way of life, and the righteous are not exempt.
As we work our way backward through this text, however, note the psalmist's observation: "Thou hast been my defence and refuge." Consider Job again; he follows his recognition of the troubled nature of man's condition by saying, "I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number [Job 5:8-9]." He knows, as does David, where to go with his troubles. For such, God is a "defence and refuge." This does not always result in the removal of trouble, but provides adequate reinforcement in trouble; the power to survive the storm, to ride it out. David remarks in another place, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… [Ps. 46:1-2]." And the Lord Jesus Christ encourages, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation,: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world [John 16:33]."
We must understand, however, that no mere religion will suffice to meet the need. What is illustrated here is a a faith that makes God real and moves the heart to take refuge in Him when there is otherwise "no place to hide." For David, for example, this was not an isolated experience. Out of the troubles of that day he could reflect upon past experience and recall, "Thou hast been my defence and refuge… " Previous experience of God's adequacy gave fresh encouragement for today's need.
Finally, consider the outcome. "I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning." The trusting soul is ultimately the triumphant soul, and the triumphant soul will be a singing soul. "Praise is comely for the upright." This is the proper consequence of finding God's sufficiency in the day of trouble, and may in fact help to explain why God allows trouble in the lives of His loved ones. Distress drives us to Him as no other circumstance will, and when we find Him able and willing to sustain us therein, we are the moved to give Him glory and praise.
Someone has said, "It doesn't matter what the trouble is, it only matters where the trouble lies." If the trouble comes between you and God, then you are in more trouble. But if you stand between the trouble and God, the more the trouble, the closer you are crowded to Him. It is then that we may say with David, "I will sing aloud of Thy mercy… " One singing saint put it this way:
"Though the angry surges roll On my tempest driven soul,For victory in the storms of life,
I am peaceful, for I know, Wildly though the winds may blow,
I've an anchor safe and sure, That can ever more endure.
And it holds, my anchor holds;
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds." — W.C. Martin
"Pastor" Frasier
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