“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” — Ps. 1:15.
How often have the afflicted children of God found this to be one of those unfailing and precious promises, in which the word of inspiration abounds. When trouble has overtaken them, they have looked to the Strong for strength; then have their hearts been filled with thanksgiving, and their lips with praise.
A woman was sitting lonely and sorrowful in her little parlour. Her situation was peculiar and trying. Separated by circumstances from a beloved husband, from whom she only received occasional assistance, she exerted all her powers to maintain a numerous family. Having received a tolerable education, she had spent a portion of her time in teaching a little school; but at the time we are now speaking of, her strength had given way under her arduous duties; her school was small, her means slender, and her heart was bowed down even to the dust.
It was a lovely, glowing autumnal day; the hand of God had poured forth an abundant harvest; the waving corn-fields, the richly-laden orchards, were bending under their treasures. But, amidst all this gladness and plenty, the heart of the solitary woman was sad. On that day, a small sum of money was to be paid; true it was small, but her means were smaller still, and she sat lifting up her heavy heart to Him to whom she had long since learned to bring all her joys and all her griefs. Her lips moved not, but her eyes were raised, and in secret she poured forth her heart to her God. She prayed for His direction, His guidance; and she entreated that either some way might be opened for her, or that she might have patience to bear the rebuffs of her creditor, whom she expected every moment. Someone entered her little room. It was a person called and said, “If you have any fruit to dispose of, I will take all you can spare.” The woman started. “Yes, I have,” she joyfully replied. She proceeded to her store-room, disposed of the produce of her orchard, and found, when she was paid, that she was in possession of the sum she required for her present emergency. Who shall say that chance brought that man to a village he had never been in before, and to a person of whose existence he was not aware?
The unbelieving worldling may sneer; but the faithful, humble Christian will exclaim; “I called upon Thee in the day of trouble, and Thou heardest me, and I will glorify Thee!”