Wait thou His time—so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day."[109]
Above all, let this Psalm teach you that your spiritual interests are in safe keeping. No wounded Hart seeking the water-brooks ever sought them in vain. When drooping, downcast, disconsolate yourself, remember "God is faithful." "He cannot deny Himself." "He satisfieth the longing soul with goodness." None is "able to pluck you out of His hand." There may be fluctuations—ebbings and flowings—in the tides of the soul; but "He that hath begun a good work in you, will carry it on until the day of the Lord Jesus." You may reach the heavenly fold with bleating cries,—with torn fleece and bleeding feet;—but you will reach it, if you have learned to sing, "The Lord is my shepherd!" You may reach the water-brooks with languid eye and panting sides;—but you will reach them, if you can truthfully say, "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God!" You may begin your song in the minor-key, but if "My God" be its key-note, you will finish it with the angels and among ministering seraphim!
Go then, Christians! and, as you see what Faith, and Hope, and Prayer did for the Exile of Gilead, try what they can and will do for you. With all your varied trials, with all your manifold sorrowful experiences, who, after all (this Psalm seems to say) so favoured as you? Who possess your present exalted privileges?—who your elevating hopes?—the consciousness, even in your trials, that each billow is wafting you nearer the haven of eternal rest? "These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven!"
"Soul, then know thy full salvation,
Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care,
Joy to find in every station
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father's smiles are thine,