THOU KNOWN MY SOUL IN ADVERSITIES

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

SEPTEMBER 9

 

Psalm 31:7

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: 

for thou hast considered my trouble; 

thou known my soul in adversities.

 
Prosperity makes friends, but adversity tries them.
 
How many will visit and smile upon us when the sun shines , but who will venture out to do us good in the wintry or stormy day?
 
David had been in adversity, he had been forsaken and neglected by his friends, but not by his God.
 
His God knew him, and visited him, and supplied him, and at length delivered gim.
 
This honour has all his saints.
 
He knew Israel in the wilderness, in the land of great drought; and he will know us, that is, he will acknowledge us, and care for us, and approve of us.
 
He hath done so.
 
We have been in adversity.
 
We have passed through a wilderness, but our God led us, and fed us, and preserved us, and brought us into a wealthy place.
 
We can witness for him in reference to the past; and we ought calamy, quietly, and confidently trust him for the future.
 
He hath passed his word that he will deliver us in six troubles, and that in seven no evil shall touch his: and he is faithful who hath promised.
 
He is the friend of his people in distress, and in our greatest trials he will glorify his richest grace.
 
Thy presence to my soul display,
And shine my gloomy fears away;
Let mercy to my thankful  heart,
Its saving health and joys depart.
 
James Smith