you. In short, all must drink of the
Bitter Cup by Jared Waterbury from Meditations and Prayers,
1840. God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble, Psalm 46, 1. Man is born to trouble, as the
sparks fly upwards. The world in which we dwell is
but a valley of tears. Sin has caused these tears to
flow, and every sinner must, sooner or later, pour in his
contribution of personal grief to swell the general tide of
sorrows. The domestic circle must be invaded
by the ruthless hand of death. Wealth may abound one day, to
be followed by poverty the next, or even if retained, riches may
prove a source of anxiety and temptation to its possessor.
In short, all must drink of the bitter cup. Alas, the poor lost
sinner who finds all his happiness in the things of earth, when
these are gone, has nothing left. He has no shelter from the storm.
It must beat upon his naked head. But not so the Christian. He
can say under the severest afflictions, God is my refuge and strength,
a very present help in times of trouble. Oh, what an unspeakable
blessing to have an almighty support! How calming to the soul
in the dark hour of adversity to be able to pour all its sorrows
into the bosom of God! When death has seemed to hover
over us, to aim his shafts at us or ours, what sweet consolation
have we found in God! In the secret place of the Most
High we have been able to dwell safely. When the world without
has been covered with gloom, all has been sunshine within.
When the power of the tempter has overwhelmed us, the arm of
Jesus has lifted us up and pointed out a way of escape. Whatever
then are our trials, let us still trust in God, our ever-present
help, in times of trouble. His promise, whatever is our
situation, is, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made
perfect in weakness. so I will boast all the more
gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell
in me 2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9 prayer. O God, it is the hour of darkness
for me. Fearfulness and trembling have
come upon us, and horror has overwhelmed us. Where can we
look but unto you? What now can be our support but
your precious promises? You have declared yourself to
be a refuge to your people, their ever-present help in times of
trouble. Often have your redeemed people
experienced the truth of this comforting declaration. When
trouble and sorrow, fear and anxiety have taken hold upon
them, they have fled to this sweet refuge. They have poured
out their souls unto you, and you have helped them in the time
of their distress. You have calmed their rising
fears and enabled them to resign every event into your nail-scarred
hands. What peace has then pervaded
their souls! Let your merciful, loving kindness
then visit us in this hour of our tribulation. Hide not your
face from us, O speak peace to our troubled spirits. Hide us
under the shadow of your wings until these calamities are over
and past. Strengthen our faith to take
a firm hold of your promises, and let no vicissitudes of this
life, no threatening dangers, shake our confidence in you or
in your declarations. For the sake of Jesus Christ,
our hope and our Redeemer. Amen. you