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Surrounded by a Divine Shield, May 3
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou
shalt glorify me.
Psalm 50:15
.
When trials arise that seem unexplainable, we should not allow our peace
to be spoiled. However unjustly we may be treated, let not passion arise.
By indulging a spirit of retaliation we injure ourselves. We destroy our own
confidence in God, and grieve the Holy Spirit. There is by our side a Witness,
a heavenly Messenger, who will lift up for us a standard against the enemy.
He will shut us in with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. Beyond
this Satan cannot penetrate. He cannot pass this shield of holy light.
While the world is progressing in wickedness, none of us need flatter
ourselves that we shall have no difficulties. But it is these very difficulties that
bring us into the audience chamber of the Most High. We may seek counsel
of One who is infinite in wisdom.
The Lord says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble” (
Psalm 50:15
). He
invites us to present to Him our perplexities and necessities, and our need
of divine help. He bids us be instant in prayer. As soon as difficulties arise,
we are to offer to Him our sincere, earnest petitions. By our importunate
prayers we give evidence of our strong confidence in God. The sense of our
need leads us to pray earnestly, and our heavenly Father is moved by our
supplications.
Often those who suffer reproach or persecution for their faith are tempted
to think themselves forsaken by God. In the eyes of men they are in the
minority. To all appearance their enemies triumph over them. But let them
not violate their conscience. He who has suffered in their behalf, and has
borne their sorrows and afflictions, has not forsaken them.
The children of God are not left alone and defenseless. Prayer moves
the arm of Omnipotence. Prayer has “subdued kingdoms, wrought righ-
teousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the
violence of fire”—we shall know what it means when we hear the reports
of the martyrs who died for their faith—“turned to flight the armies of the
aliens” (
Hebrews 11:33, 34
).—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 171, 172
.
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