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There are also two points of view as to the length of this endurance. One may say, Oh
to think that I must endure this for a whole lifetime, while another may say, Praise God,
this suffering can only last a lifetime. To both the time is the same, but how different the
point of view. One may say, Why am I thus afflicted and burdened? while another may
say, What a privilege to be counted worthy to share any part of the sufferings of Christ
for His body's sake, the church. Beloved readers, there can be no two thoughts as to
which should be our attitude.
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
#25.
The bowed soul, and the fixed heart (Psa. 57: 6, 7).
pp. 158, 159
It is a consolation beyond our powers of estimation that while we so harshly and
sometimes so cruelly judge one another, the Lord remembereth our frame, and while sin
is never treated less than sin (and no evil can ever be called otherwise by a Holy God),
He condescends to use those who are of like infirmities with ourselves. A word in season
is found in Psa. 57: It is the coming together of two apparently opposed conditions:--
"My soul is bowed down . . . . . My heart is fixed" (Psa. 57: 6, 7).
Three times in this Psalm does the writer speak of his soul:--
"My soul trusteth in Thee" (verse 1).
"My soul is among lions" (verse 4).
"My soul is bowed down" (verse 6).
Here we may learn the necessary lesson, that trust in God does not mean exemption
from trouble. What it does mean is triumph in spite of trouble. The Psalmist did not
practice what is called "auto-suggestion"; he did not seek to strengthen himself by saying,
"I am growing stronger every day", for he knew a better way: "I will cry unto God most
high; unto God that performeth for me" (verse 2), which Spurrell translates as "my
accomplishing God". At first sight, when the several occurrences of this word "perform"
are considered, the true meaning underlying all is not readily apparent.
"The godly man ceaseth" (Psa. 12: 1).
"Doth His promise fail?" (Psa. 77: 8).
"Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end" (Psa. 7: 9).
"The Lord will perfect" (Psa. 138: 8).
"God that performeth for me" (Psa. 57: 2).
The reader who remembers that the N.T. word "perfect" (teleios) indicates one who
has gone unto the "end", will see that the same idea is found in this word gamar = "to
end". Because the Psalmist trusted in God Who was able to bring all things through to
their appointed end, he could, even while his soul was bowed down, truly say: "Oh God,