TRIALS and perplexities of no ordinary kind pressed at this moment on the anointed successor of Saul. He was an exile from his country, driven hither and thither in search of that safety which the jealousy of the king denied; and now, in addition to all the sources of disquiet which had distressed him so long, that city which had been given by Achish for an abode for himself and his companions had been treacherously burnt with fire, and all the inhabitants thereof, with their substance, carried away captive. We need not marvel much, that at such a discovery “David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.” But all this was not sufficient; yet deeper woe and fear were to be meted out to him, who, by his more exalted position, was exposed to the fiercest blasts of adversity. Let us read the next verse. “And David was greatly distressed; for all the people spake of atoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
Well was it for him that he had such a refuge to fly to in this day of sore calamity. When earthly help and consolation failed, when those devoted followers who had shared his wanderings and dangers, in so many a perilous hour, rose up in the bitterness of their wounded affections, and “spake of stoning” their leader, whither should he turn for aid if not to the Lord his God? But while we rejoice that the chosen monarch had it thus in his power to draw help and courage from a source of infinite supply, would it not be wise for us to search out and learn the lesson which this narrative is assuredly fitted to impart? “All things were written for our learning,” we are told in the Scriptures; shall we not, then, endeavor to extract from the passage before us some of its treasure of instruction?
Are we not all of us, wherever we may be placed, and whatever may be our individual circumstances subject to many a trial―some arising from outward events, some from inward causes; some, perhaps, brought upon us by the failings of others, while some owe their sole origin to the perverse inclinations of our own rebellious hearts? The life of the Christian whatsoever may be the aspect it assumes in the eyes of his surrounding companions, is always, and of necessity must always continue to be, a continual warfare; and as such it will ever be fraught with occasions of trial, of fear, perchance of danger. Then who would not welcome with thankfulness aught that could bestow calmness and faith to pursue the path unflinchingly, whatever may betide? And how can we gain this aid otherwise than by following the example set us by the psalmist king?
The sorrows of this probationary scene are very varied, they differ in their nature as do the individuals who undergo them; but whatever they may be, it is no easy, no pleasant task to endure their proving’s. Sometimes they are permitted to arise so thickly, and to press so heavily, that the sufferer is well nigh ready to exclaim, “Thy waves and Thy billows have gone over me.” Then is the time for the exercise of faith; then is the season for the poor tried one to place his sole dependence on his heavenly Friend; to feel and know that amidst all these assaults, the hand of almighty power is underneath. Then may the believer encourage himself in the Lord his God! Perchance, hope may be inclined to droop and fold her wings, to refuse to buffet any longer with the storm; still let the oppressed spirit draw comfort from the remembrance that “whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”
There is something inexpressibly cheering in the remembrance, that the eye of omniscient love is watching over us, wherever we may be; that even the very hairs of our “head are all numbered.” Forgetfulness of this is very productive of discouragement. If we could but realize livingly that the Almighty is ceaselessly regarding us for good, that that blessed Saviour, whose sacrifice purchased our redemption, is still our never-slumbering Advocate with the Father, how hopefully, how confidingly should we pass along our daily walk! how calmly should we say, “The Lord is on my side: I will not fear”! how constantly and entirely should we encourage ourselves in the Lord our God!