44 Provision for Trouble

Provision for Trouble "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7

We constantly need to have the Lord’s true character brought out and placed before us; for we forget what he is; and therefore forget to make use of him in seasons of trouble and trial. Whatever we suffer, and whatever we need — is intended to lead us to the Lord, that we may find him to be our friend, our father, and our all-sufficient portion.

Creatures constantly deceive, or disappoint us; we never find in them all that was expected. But we always find the Lord to be more than we thought, and ready to give us more than we anticipated. If we had the Lord always before us, if we realized his presence, if we expected him to do as he has said — then we would rise superior to our trials, and live above our fears.

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion: he knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust. Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who put their trust in him." Here we see,

What the Lord is in himself. "The Lord is good." He is benevolent, wishing all his creatures well. He is beneficent, constantly doing them good. He opens his hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing. "The Lord is near unto all them that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him — he also will hear their cry, and will save them."

God is naturally good, and delights in doing good.

He is sovereignly good, and therefore he showers blessings on his foes.

He is perfectly good, doing good in the most perfect manner.

He is eternally good, and will do his people good forever and ever. No one is good as he is, therefore Jesus said, "There none good but one, that is God." He is the very opposite of cruel — creatures may be cruel to each other — but he cannot be cruel to anyone. He is the opposite of selfish — his creatures may be selfish — but not himself, for he delights in mercy and rejoices over his people to do them good. He is the opposite of unjust — every ones rights are respected; and in doing good he always acts in strict accordance with justice. The Lord is good — The Good One. He has always been good to us; and he will make all his goodness pass before us, if we seek his face, trust his word, and keep his glory in view. His goodness is infinite. If we survey it, if we fix our minds upon it — then we shall be affected with its vastness, as the Psalmist was when he exclaimed, "O how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you; which you have wrought for them that trust in you before the sons of men!" But let us notice,

What he will be to his people. "A stronghold in the day of trouble." Troubles will come — we cannot avoid them. "Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." We may expect it — but we should not fear it. We may look for it — but we may not be alarmed at it.

Troubles of a temporal character will come:

Troubles in the nation.

Troubles in the family.

Troubles in the business.

Troubles in the church.

Bodily sickness.

Depression in trade.

Loss of situation, or property. And sometimes several of these come together!

Troubles of a spiritual nature.

Darkness of soul. The temptations of Satan.

Persecutions for the truth’s sake.

Doubts and fears.

Conflicts within. The loss of the means of grace, either by removal from them, or inability to attend upon them. But in every trouble "the Lord is a stronghold." A place of defense. A castle to protect us. A home to receive us. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." He is always at hand, so that we may . . .
repair to him,
pour out our hearts before him,
commit our cause to him, and
expect protection or deliverance from him.

He is stronger than all our foes, and strong enough to preserve us in the most imminent dangers, and therefore we may trust in him. We may trust his word, for it is true and faithful. We may trust his power, for it is engaged for our defense. We may trust his providence, for it is working to bring about what is best for us. We may trust his resources, for they cannot possibly fail. By him, as by the walls of an impregnable fortress — we shall be defended. And in him, as in an inexhaustible magazine — we shall find supplies. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10. "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing!" Psalms 34:8-10 This leads us to consider,

What the Lord does. "He knows those who trust in him." His knowledge is infinite. He knows every creature, the state of every heart, and the movements of every mind. "There is no darkness, or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

He knows who sincerely confide in him. Many profess to do so. but do not. They trust in their talents, or their wealth, or their reputation, or their connections; but they do not trust in the Lord. He distinguishes between the professor and the possessor of godliness; between him who says, "I trust in the Lord" and the person who really does so. He approves of all who trust in him. For to know — is to approve, or be pleased with. "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his mercy." Psalms 147:11. He acknowledges those who trust in him. They cry to him, and he hears them. They call upon him, and he appears for them. They appeal to him, and he works deliverance for them. He notices them, and thus distinguishes them from others. He visits them, and thus cheers and encourages them. He comforts them . . .
by the smiles of his face,
by the whispers of his love,
by the application of his promises,
by the intimation of his approval, and
by holding fellowship with them from off his mercy seat.

He relieves them by sending them supplies, as certainly, though not so miraculously, as he did the widow when he multiplied her meal and oil; as he did Elijah, when the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of the brook.

Beloved, the Lord knows what is the object of your trust. He sees whether you are trusting in him alone, or are afraid to trust him without some visible object being associated with him. He loves to be trusted. He always honors confidence. He shows his approval of those who take him at his word, and expect him to be what he has said, and do as he has promised. There is no presumption in trusting God — but there is unbelief in our not doing so. He is worthy of our strongest confidence, and of our highest love. Our fathers trusted in him — and he delivered them. They cried unto him and were delivered; they trusted in him, and were not confounded.

Let us then receive, and hold fast this cheering truth, "God is good." He is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works; but he is especially good to those who put their trust in him, and look for good things from him. He will exalt his goodness before us, and glorify his goodness in us — in the midst of our sorest trials, and severest troubles.

Let us improve this provision, "the Lord is a stronghold in the day of troulle." To him alone let us repair; from him alone let us expect safety, deliverance, and supply. And while some are filled with perplexity, and others are dejected and cast down — let us with the devout Psalmist, determine and say, "I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore!" Psalms 121:1-8

Let us take encouragement from the assurance, the Lord "knows those who trust in him." He observes them, he distinguishes them, he approves of them, and he honors them; and this he does especially in times of trouble. Let us look to the Lord as our strength, or Strong One, in all seasons of weakness, depression, and sorrow.

But, do we know the Lord? Do we believe his word? Do we trust in Jesus for acceptance with Him? Do we fly to him in trouble and danger? Or, are we building on our self-righteousness, trusting to our own efforts, and expecting from our own endeavors? These are solemn enquiries, let us seriously consider them and honestly answer them. And may the Holy Spirit teach us to make the Lord our refuge, and allow us to find him a stronghold in every time of trouble. But if this mighty God should be your foe, and fight against you! If you should reject his word, refuse his invitation, trifle with his mercy, and fall unprepared into his hands! Ah, then you will find, that it "is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Let us beseech you to consider, reflect, and seriously read over these kind but solemn lines, remembering that "faithful are the wounds of a friend — but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

Stop, poor sinner! stop and think,
Before you further go!
Will you sport upon the brink
Of everlasting woe?

Once again I charge you stop!
For unless you warning take,
Before you are aware you’ll drop
Into the burning lake.

Say, have you an arm like God,
That you his will oppose?
Fear you not that iron rod
With which He breaks his foes? Can you stand in that dread day
When He judgment shall proclaim,
And the earth shall melt away,
Like wax before the flame?

Pale-faced death will quickly come,
To drag you to his bar;
Then to hear your awful doom,
Will fill you with despair.

All your sins will round you crowd,
Sins of blood and crimson dye;
Each for vengeance crying loud,
And what can you reply?

Though your heart be made of steel,
Your forehead lined with brass,
God at length will make you feel —
He will not let you pass!

Sinners then in vain will call,
(Though they now despise his grace)
Rocks and mountains on us fall,
And hide us from his face.

But, as yet, there is a hope
You may his mercy know:
Though his arm is lifted up,
He still forbears the blow.

’Twas for sinners Jesus died,
Sinners He invites to come;
None who come shall be denied,
He says, "There still is room!"