I AM TROUBLED

 

MAY 16.
 
I am troubled.
Psalm 38:6
 

THIS is very often the case with the believer,
  he is seldom long without something to trouble him.
 
He has so much sin within him,
  so many foes without him, and
  such strange unexpected things in his path,
  that he is often agitated and depressed.
 
Where he looked for comfort,
    he finds sorrow;
  where he is expected help,
    he finds hindrances;
  where he promised himself pleasure,
    he experiences pain.
 
He is wearied.
 
Weary of himself,
  weary of sin, weary of the world;
  weary of the carnal state of the church of God.
 
He is weary, and it prevents his enjoyment;
  he is troubled, and it shakes his faith.
 
But what a mercy it is for the troubled Christian,
  that his Lord has experienced trouble
  as well as himself;
   so that he can sympathize with him.
 
Jesus once said,
  “Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say?”
 
He has a fellow-feeling with us in all our troubles, and
  will first sanctify them, and then safely bring us out of them.
 
Beloved, are you troubled this morning?
 
Carry your troubled heart to Jesus,
  pour it out before him,
  he can calm it, soothe it, and give it cheering repose.
 
Take it to Jesus to sanctify it for thee.
 

And still as oft as troubles come,

Jesus will send some cheering ray,

And that strong arm shall guard us home,

Which thus protects us by the way.

 
James Smith 1849