“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee,
and thou shalt glorify me.” — Psalm 50:15.
THE Lord God in this Psalm is described as having a controversy with his
people. He summons heaven and earth to hear him while he utters his
reproof. What the Lord missed in his people was not temple rites and offerings, for in these they abounded, but he missed the fruit of the lips giving glory to
his name. He missed their :-
Thankfulness, for he says unto them, “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High;”
Trustfulness “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Truthfulness May I also venture to ask whether you pay your vows to him?
I. CALLING IN TROUBLE BRINGS GLORY TO HIM IN IT'S ACT.
Note, it is a truthful recognition of God. The man who calls upon God in the day of trouble, evidently possesses a real and sincere belief in God's existence, in his personality, in his power,in his condescension, and in his continual care in the affairs of men;
it is seeking a spiritual intercourse with God. “Call upon me in the day of trouble.” That call is heart language addressed to God; it is the soul really speaking to the great Father beyond all question. not lip service
it is filled with a manifest hope in God it hopes in God for his goodness, for his mercy, for his grace.
A soul calling upon honours God’s goodness and condescension, and equally pays tribute to his faithfulness and his all-sufficiency.
it exhibits a clinging affection to God. A true child of God loves a chastening God. the patience of Job. When his wife bade him curse God and die, what said he? “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.
What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?”
leading to a most steadfast confidence in God. It is a blessed thing when
we can say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,”
Then follow the example of Hezekiah and spread Rabshakeh’s letter before the Lord.
Surely the Lord knows best what pleases him, and if he declares his delight
in our calling upon him in the day of trouble, why should we dispute with him?
II. IT BRINGS GLORY TO GOD THROUGH THE ANSWER “I will deliver thee.”
In these words we have
(a) a practical answer. It is not merely “I will think about thee, I will hear thee, I will propose plans for thee, and somewhat aid thee in working them out,” but, “I will deliver thee.”
(b) a positive answer. It is not, “I may, perhaps, deliver thee”; but, “I will.”
(c) a personal answer. “I will deliver thee.” It is not said, “My angels shall do it,” but “I will deliver thee.” The Lord God himself undertakes to rescue his people. “I will be a wall of fire round about them.”
Then, too, it is personal as to its object: it is the same man who calls upon
God in trouble who shall be a partaker of the blessing. “Call upon me in the
day of trouble, I will deliver thee.” It is personal, to you;
(d) a permanent answer. “Trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” (no time limit)
III. THE LORD WILL BE GLORIFIED IN THE AFTERMATH.
by Praise blessing the loving Lord for such a gracious intervention.
by Proof the gratitude of your heart, in which the memory of his goodness will for ever be recorded.
by Proclamation to bear testimony to his faithfulness.
by Progress you will personally grow in faith by the experience of your heavenly Father’s love and power, and in days to come you will glorify him
by Practice increased patience and confidence.
“I sing with rapture and surprise
His lovingkindness in the skies.”
