Have you ever experienced a day of trouble? A day when everything seems to be going wrong, when you feel lost and helpless, and you don’t know what to do? The truth is, trouble is a part of life. We are all vulnerable to troubles, and believers are not exempted.
However, as believers, we have a remedy that is readily available to us – calling upon the Lord.
- In Psalm 50:15, the Psalmist says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Let’s dive into this verse and explore its implications.
The Season of Trouble
Firstly, we need to understand what the Psalmist means by “the day of trouble.” The day of trouble refers to any situation that causes distress, pain, or sorrow. It could be physical, spiritual, or emotional trouble.
As believers, we are called to suffer, just as the disciples and friends of Christ did. We should not be surprised when we encounter trouble in our lives.
There are different kinds of trouble that we can experience. There is bodily trouble, where we may experience physical pain or discomfort. We may have sleepless nights, like Job in Job 7:3, or feel like our prayers are not being answered, like the Psalmist in Psalm 77:1-4.
There is also spiritual trouble, where our minds are clouded, and we lack comfort or feel perplexed, like Job in Job 23:3-10. We may experience persecution or temptation, which can be overwhelming. Additionally, there is family trouble, where we may experience loss or separation, like Jacob, Eli, Job, and David did.
The Remedy Provided
Thankfully, the Psalmist provides a remedy for us in times of trouble – calling upon the Lord. The Psalmist encourages us to go to God, rather than relying on our own wisdom and strength. God is our refuge, our help, our fortress, and our strong tower.
- We need to call upon Him, make our requests known, and seek his gracious aid. We must do this humbly, earnestly, in faith, and with perseverance. It is essential to note that we must call upon God in the day of trouble.
We cannot delay or wait until the situation becomes unbearable. We need to seek God’s help immediately, lest we be destroyed by our adversaries. God is ever near and never far off. He is a present help in times of need.
When we call upon the Lord, we must do so with a heart that is willing to listen and obey. We must be willing to surrender our own will and desires, and trust that God will guide us in the right direction. We must also be willing to accept the answer that God gives us, even if it is not what we were hoping for.
The Deliverance Promised
When we call upon the Lord in times of trouble, He promises to deliver us. We must remember that God can deliver us. He has the wisdom and ability to do so. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. As believers, we need to trust that if God is for us, who can be against us?
He has always delivered His people, from Abraham to Daniel, and He will continue to do so. God desires to deliver us, and He is bound by His word, his faithfulness, and his covenant to do so. However, it must be in his own way, by his means, and at his own time.
It’s important to note that sometimes the deliverance we receive may not be what we expected or even wanted, but it is always what is best for us in the long run. God’s plans are always perfect, even if they don’t align with our own desires.
When we call on the Lord, we must also come to him with a humble and contrite heart, acknowledging our own shortcomings and sinfulness. We cannot expect God to deliver us if we are not willing to repent and turn away from our sinful ways.
Furthermore, we must also have faith that God will deliver us. Faith is an essential element in our relationship with God and without it, we cannot please him. In fact, Jesus himself said that with faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
The Return Demanded
Lastly, the Psalmist reminds us that we must glorify God when He delivers us. We need to celebrate his goodness, trust him at all times, and renew our commitment to his service.
When we glorify God, we honor him and acknowledge His greatness. We can celebrate His goodness through songs, like the Song of Deborah, and through pillars of remembrance, like the Ebenezer stone. We need to trust God implicitly, knowing that He is faithful and will deliver us.
Finally, we need to consecrate ourselves to his service, committing to live our lives according to his will and purpose. This means dedicating our time, resources, and talents to his work and spreading his message of love and redemption to others.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Book of Psalms provides us with a rich source of wisdom and guidance for our spiritual journey. It reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s presence in our lives, expressing our deepest emotions and concerns to him through prayer and worship, and trusting in his unfailing love and faithfulness.
We can also learn from the examples of the psalmists and their experiences of triumph and struggle, which teach us to persevere in our own challenges and to give thanks to God when He delivers us. May the Book of Psalms continue to inspire us and draw us closer to our Creator as we journey through life.
