Psalms 2–3

Psalm ii. This Psalm announces the establishment of Christ’s earthly triumph and royalty in Zion, when the heathen shall be given Him for an inheritance. This La not fulfilled. The Government of God does qoI secure the good from suffering as it will then, but turns suffering to spiritual blessing and restrains the remainder of wrath, giving a glorious reward for our little sorrows. But for us a Father’s name is revealed in them. We call on the Father who, without respect of persons, judges according to every man’s work, and we pass the time of our sojourning here in fear, knowing that we are redeemed. Here kings are called on to siilniiit before the coming judgment of the earth. But this is not yet executed, and Ave have to learn our own lesson in patience. This the Psalms will teach us.

Psalm hi. Let us see the lessons of the first Psalms which follow. Troublers are multiplied, but the first thought of faith is “Lord.” There the spirit is at home and looks at troublers from thence. Jehovah is thus trusted. When ‘Lord” comes in the heart before those that trouble me, all is well. Our spirit sees Him concerned ill matters and is at peace, lie is a glory, shield, and lifter up. Another point is, it is not a lazy, listless view of evil and good, nor listless confidence. Desire and dependence are active, the links of the soul with Jehovah. I cru d and He heard. That is certain. That is the confidence that if we ask anything according to His will He hears, and if He hears, Ave have the petition. We do not desire, if sincere, to have anythingnot according to His will; but it is an immense thing, in the midst of trial and difficulty, to be sure of God’s hearing, and God’s arm, in what is according to His will. Hence rest and peace. I laid me down and slept: I awaked: for the Lord sustained me. How emphatic and simple! Is it so with you reader? Does all trouble find your heart resting on God as your Father that, when it is multiplied, it leaves your spirit at rest, your sleep sweet, lyingdown sleeping and rising as if all was peace around you because you know God is and disposes of all things? Is He thus between you and your troubles and troublers? And if He is, what can reach you? The thousands of enemies make no difference if God is there. The Assyrian is gone before he can arise to trouble or execute the threats, which, after all, betray his conscious fear. We are foolish as to difficulties and trials, measuring them by our strength instead of God’s, who is for us if we are His. What matter that the cities of Canaan were walled up to heaven, if the walls fell at the blast of a ram’s horn? Could Peter have walked on a smooth sea better than on a rough one? Our wisdom is to know that we can do nothing without Jesus — with Him, everything that is according to His will. The secret of peace is to be occupied with Him for His own sake, and we shall find peace in Him and through Him, and be more than conquerors when trouble comes, not that we shall be insensible to trial, but find Him and His tender care with us when trouble comes.