A Support for Sinking Hearts in Time of Distress

Chapter 1

1. A Support for Sinking Hearts in Time of Distress

Contents -- 4 of 49 -- T he timely nature of this sermon stirred the hearts of many who heard it preached, and for that reason the author was persuaded to print it. Yet, judging it unworthy of such public attention, he

Chapter 2

Genesis 22:14

Interpreters call this text a proverb, the meaning of which is drawn from the occasion behind it. God, by way of testing, placed His servant Abraham under a painful task —a heartbreaking duty—commanding him to offer up h

Chapter 3

2. In that a substitute sacrifice is provided, and both mercies come

unexpectedly: “Abraham, Abraham, hold your hand.” How welcome these words must have been to the troubled and trembling heart of Abraham, as he stood ready to take the life of his beloved son. The act is stopped, Isaac is

Chapter 4

2. The experiences of godly people.

I will mention only two precious promises, because they are enough. They are both fitting and relevant, speaking clearly and directly to the matter before us. The first is found in Psalms, where the gracious reign of Chr

Chapter 5

3. When, in such distress, they cry out as those who are undone,

then—and often not until then—He comes to deliver them. The second promise is recorded in Deuteronomy: “For the Lord shall judge His people, and have compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power is gone, and

Chapter 6

4. He remained in that dark den of deadly danger through the

whole night. Yet in that great trial, the Lord sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they did His servant no harm at all. The second example is that of David in 1 Samuel. Saul pursued David in the wilderness

Chapter 7

4. David did not have enough strength to break safely through

these bloodthirsty enemies. Yet in this desperate situation, an unexpected providence brought about his deliverance. On this mountain, God was seen gloriously. The third example is that of Paul, found in Acts: “All the c

Chapter 8

4. They had already begun carrying out their violence: they were

beating him nearly to death. Yet in that desperate moment, word arrived, drawing attention elsewhere. Thus God was seen on the mountain, and Paul’s life was preserved. The fourth example is that of Peter in Acts.

Chapter 9

3. On the night before he was to be brought out for execution, Peter

was bound with two chains, with two soldiers beside him. Yet on that very night, in the midst of that great danger, he was delivered by the angel of God. The experiences of God’s people in groups come next, and for the s

Chapter 10

5. They fell down bound in the middle of the blazing fire.

In such a condition, it seemed almost impossible that they could survive. Yet the Holy Spirit tells us that they suffered no harm. The fire had no power over their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed. The next e

Chapter 11

1. The forces prepared against them: “The heart of Pharaoh and his

servants was turned against the people.” Pharaoh made ready his chariot, took his people with him, and gathered six hundred chosen chariots, along with all the chariots of Egypt and captains over every one of them. -- 1

Chapter 12

4. The particular difficulties that surrounded them:

The Egyptians overtook them while they camped by the sea. If they went forward, the sea itself seemed ready to swallow them. Yet in this great distress, God revealed Himself and delivered them. Consider the words of Mose

Chapter 13

3. Their enemies.

First, in reference to Himself. The praise and glory of His own blessed name, which is the supreme goal in all His works, is especially displayed in this providence. This is why God brought Israel to the edge of the sea,

Chapter 14

2. Sometimes He does this to reveal to His servants, for their

encouragement, both the reality and the strength of His grace within them. This was the reason God tested Abraham in this way: that He might reveal the holy fear planted in Abraham’s heart. God led him into the mountain

Chapter 15

1. Sometimes God allows His people to enter such trials in order to

reveal the weakness of certain graces in their hearts, so that they may be humbled. Peter believed he had enough courage to walk to Christ upon the stormy sea, if only Christ would call him. And Christ did call him. Pete

Chapter 16

1. God also does this so that the graces of His Spirit may be

exercised, strengthened, and increased, while sinful desires are weakened. We know that habits grow stronger through exercise, and grace grows stronger when it is actively used. As grace gains strength in the soul, sinfu

Chapter 17

1. God also works in this way so that His deliverance may be

sweeter to His people, and so that their joy may overflow in thankful praise to Him. When we fear that our homes may be burned, our city attacked, our possessions lost, our wives abused, our children murdered, our worshi

Chapter 18

2. With regard to the devil, God acts in this way in order to silence

his dark and slanderous accusations. Satan is always ready to accuse God’s servants falsely. When all of Job’s possessions were taken in a single day, and all his children were killed at once, God still said to Satan: “H

Chapter 19

1. God also works in this way with regard to wicked men.

Partly He does so to fill their hearts with greater frustration. Partly He does so to restrain their violence, so that they do not break out in greater fury against His cause and His people. And sometimes He does it so t

Chapter 20

1. By making this mistake, we deny the perfection of the Word of

God, because Scripture gives us no such rule by which to judge ourselves. In fact, the Scriptures plainly teach the opposite. Ecclesiastes says: “No man knows either love or hatred by all that is before him. All things c

Chapter 21

1. In this way, people bear false witness against themselves by

passing unjust judgments upon their own souls. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” To harm the reputation or comfort of our neighbor is a violation of God’s law. And surely this sin is even worse wh

Chapter 22

1. We show great ingratitude toward God, the source of all our

mercies, when we question His love and overlook His past kindness because of present troubles and future fears. Let the failure of Israel be a mirror in which you can see the ugliness of this sin, so that you may avoid i

Chapter 23

1. By this mistake we also wrong others. As David says in Psalms:

-- 24 of 49 -- “If I had said, ‘I will speak thus,’ behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.” The way we speak and act in such matters may discourage many dear children of God, causing them to ques

Chapter 24

2. It hinders prayer. The apostle understood this, which is why he

urged the Hebrews: “Pray for us, for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” -- 26 of 49 -- When we are persuaded that afflicted people are sincere and godly, we are more willing

Chapter 25

2. God is greatly displeased by it.

You remember how Eliphaz and the other friends of Job burdened him with harsh judgments, concluding that he must be a hypocrite because of his suffering. But after God had finished dealing with Job, speaking to him out o

Chapter 26

1. Our censorious spirit may also make our own sufferings heavier.

If I judge others harshly, and add to their troubles, then I should expect that God may add bitterness to my own cup when suffering comes to me. -- 27 of 49 -- “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment

Chapter 27

2. We are all prone to many failures in times of trouble.

First, we are all liable to enter a distressed condition. If anyone denies this, let him produce his warrant from heaven and say, “I have a signed and sealed promise that I will never face adversity.” Beloved, believe th

Chapter 28

1. Times of distress expose us to unbelief.

It is a serious sin for our souls at any time to turn away from holy trust and firm dependence upon God. Yet this is exactly what we are tempted to do in difficult times, dishonoring God and harming our own souls. The ex

Chapter 29

1. In times of distress we are often tempted toward impatience and

discontent, and these sins can badly distort our hearts and damage our witness. -- 29 of 49 -- It is remarkable that a heart touched by grace could react as Jonah did. At first Jonah was upset because Nineveh, which he

Chapter 30

1. We are also prone to sinful fears, which trouble the heart,

weaken our joy, hinder duty, and interrupt our fellowship with God. Notice how God rebukes His own people for this: “Who are you that you should fear a man who shall die, and the son of man who is but grass, and forget t

Chapter 31

1. We are also tempted to use sinful shortcuts and dishonest means

to protect ourselves in times of distress. We see this in the example of Peter. His Master had been arrested, dragged away violently, and seemed likely to die as a criminal. Peter found himself surrounded by those who ha

Chapter 32

3. What blessings may be enjoyed by those who walk closely with

Him. I leave these matters to your own careful reflection, having offered this counsel in love so that it may prepare the way for comfort in the day of distress. Thirdly, walk carefully with God. Take care not to wound y

Chapter 33

3. The danger he faced: they did not merely come against him, but

surrounded him on every side. Yet because David had made peace with God, he was able to rest even in the middle of great danger. Though he may well have seen in these troubles the painful consequences of his own past sin

Chapter 34

2. Make proper use of what is contained in this name, “Jehovah,”

which is set before us in the text now under consideration. I cannot now speak in detail about both our national and personal concerns under these headings. Yet even for our public troubles, there is a way prepared for o

Chapter 35

2. By making use of the means that the Lord has appointed for our

good. First, not everyone may claim a share in the privilege held out in this text. Not every careless or ungodly person may say, “Well, God will appear for me in the mountain, and therefore I will fear no danger.” No. T

Chapter 36

1. Your soul must be so shaped by the fear of God that, having His

command, you will not shrink back from any duty He places before you, however difficult or painful it may be. -- 41 of 49 -- Notice this in Abraham: “Now I know that you fear God.” And how was Abraham’s fear of God sho

Chapter 37

1. You must not dare to commit any known sin, even if it seems

necessary to protect your life, your possessions, your reputation, -- 42 of 49 -- your position, or anything else under the sun. A person who lives in this way may rightly expect to meet with God on the mountain. We se

Chapter 38

2. Sacred.

As for civil means, you must not say, “We no longer care whether there is any watch kept in the city, day or night. We will trouble ourselves no more with such things.” No, you must continue to be useful instruments in t

Chapter 39

1. There are also sacred means.

Tears and prayers are the Christian’s best weapons, and we should make use of them. When Jehoshaphat was surrounded by danger, as Moabites, Ammonites, and the people of Mount Seir came against him, what did he do? He fea

Chapter 40

2. Gives comfort and strength to the Christian in times of trouble.

“Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing unto God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides upon the heavens by His name Jah, and rejoice before Him.” There ar

Chapter 41

5. It points to the Lord’s unlimited sovereignty—His absolute and

unquestionable authority over all things. Jehovah is the Most High—not merely high, nor higher than many, nor higher than the highest, but the Most High over all the earth. -- 46 of 49 -- It is Jehovah who rules kings

Chapter 42

1. This title also speaks of His independence.

All creatures depend in some way upon one another for their continued existence. Grass and plants depend upon the earth. Animals depend upon the produce of the earth. We ourselves are nourished by created things. But our

Chapter 43

1. It also points to God’s immutability.

-- 47 of 49 -- All other things change. Just as a snowball melts when we handle it, and a flower withers when we smell it, so the comforts of this world fade and pass away as we use them. But in the Lord Jehovah there i

Chapter 44

1. This title also expresses God’s faithfulness.

“I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name Jehovah I was not known to them.” The meaning is that although God had already shown His power through many great acts of providence, H