Bible Study by Richard Moore

Lesson 6 Psalm 42 & 43 Day One Thirsting For God Psalm 42:1-2 The meaning of these two verses simply is, that David preferred to all the enjoyments, riches, pleasures, and honors of this world, the opportunity of access to the sanctuary, that in this way he might cherish and strengthen his faith and piety by the exercises prescribed in the Law. When he says that he cried for the living God, we are not to understand it merely in the sense of a burning love and desire towards God: but we ought to remember in what manner it is that, God allures us to himself, and by what means he raises our minds upwards. He does not enjoin us to ascend forthwith into heaven, but, consulting our weakness, he descends to us. David, then, considering that the way of access was shut against him, cried to God, because he was excluded from the outward service of the sanctuary, which is the sacred bond of intercourse with God. I do not mean to say that the observance of external ceremonies can of itself bring us into favor with God, but they are religious exercises which we cannot bear to want by reason of our infirmity. David, therefore, being excluded from the sanctuary, is no less grieved than if he had been separated from God himself. He did not, it is true, cease in the meantime to direct his prayers towards heaven, and even to the sanctuary itself; but conscious of his own infirmity, he was specially grieved that the way by which the faithful obtained access to God was shut against him.” Commentary by Calvin Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 84:10-12 “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” Read Also: Psalm 63:1-2; Psalm 143:6-7; Psalm 143:6-7; II Samuel 15:25 Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. Why does the hart thirst for water brooks? 2. Why is the figure of the hart a good one for explaining our thirsting after God? 3. Why does David pray this prayer at the time of the Psalm? 1

4. Is there a sense in which Christ could also pray this prayer? 5. When might we for similar reasons pray this prayer? 6. How do we profit by coming and appearing before God? 7. How and when do we do this in this present life? 8. In these last days should this prayer become a more intense part of our life? Explain A few thoughts concerning this passage: First we take note that this Psalm was written by David during one of the times that David could not go to Jerusalem. This was because he was forced to flee from the city at the hands of his enemies. This meant of course that David could not come up to the tabernacle of God. He could not go to the place of worship. He could not serve God as he desired, nor bring unto the tabernacle his offerings. In other words he could not worship God at the alter of God and after the ordinances of God. It is not that David thirsted after the formal worship as such, the outward things, but he knew that through the means of his worship at the tabernacle he was fed and nourished by the Word of God. And he knew his need for this nourishment. He knew his sin and treasured the Word that spoke to him when at the tabernacle of God, which declared that his sin was forgiven by the mercy and grace of God. Indeed his thirst for the presence of God in the Word was rightly likened to a hart panting after water brooks. Especially is it true that the buck having been chased during the hunt needed to quench its thirst and be refreshed at the stream So did David long for and need the refreshing living water which he found in abundance in the worship in Jerusalem. So separated from the proper worship, he longed for that worship in Jerusalem where his soul would be lifted up. In a certain sense Christ also longed to enter the presence of His Father, He showed the need for this in the times that He separated Himself for times of prayer. And the thirst for the living God led Christ as He dwelt in our flesh to walk in obedience to Father even unto the death of the cross. For He knew that in the way of that obedience unto death, He would soon dwell in the presence of His Father in Heaven. This leads us to see our need of so panting after God. The soul of the child of God needs and longs after God. And practically, we are able by grace to satisfy this need by coming into the house of God on the Lord's Day. There we come under the Word of Christ, and are led by the Word of God into the presence of God. There we find the testimony of the forgiveness of our sin, and a right in Christ to live in God's presence forever. Conclusion: Especially in these days of economic and political turmoil, in these days of ever increasing temptation, in these days when Satan increases his attack on the children of God we need to draw near unto our God. May we thirst for the Lord's Day, for the preaching of the Word, and in prayer may we seek the grace of God which delivers our soul out of darkness to bring us into the fellowship of our God.

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Day Two Having Gone to the House of God Psalm 42: 3-4 “Let them still say, “Where is thy God?” I seek my God in every corporeal nature, terrestrial or celestial, and find Him not: I seek His Substance in my own soul, and I find it not, yet still I have thought on these things, and wishing to “see the invisible things of my God, being understood by the things made,” I have poured forth my soul above myself, and there remains no longer any being for me to attain to, save my God. For it is “there” in the “house of my God.” His dwelling place is above my soul; from thence He beholds me; from thence He created me; from thence He directs me and provides for me; from thence he appeals to me, and calls me, and directs me; leads me in the way, and to the end of my way. ... For when I was “pouring out my soul above myself,” in order to reach my God, why did I do so? “For I will go into the place of Thy Tabernacle.” ... “You are admiring the tabernacle here on earth; how came you to the sanctuary of the house of God?” he says, “In the voice of joy and praise; the sound of keeping holiday.” Here, when men keep festival simply for their own indulgence, it is their custom to place musical instruments, or to station a chorus of singers, before their houses, or any kind of music that serves and allures to wantonness. And when these are heard, what do we passers by say? “What is going on here?” And we are told in answer, that it is some festival. “It is a birthday that is being celebrated” (say they),” there is a marriage here;” that those songs may not appear out of place, but the luxurious indulgence may be excused by the festive occasion. In the “house of God” there is a never ending festival: for there it is not an occasion celebrated once, and then to pass away. The angelic choir makes an eternal “holiday:” the presence of God’s face, joy that never fails. This is a “holiday” of such a kind, as neither to be opened by any dawn, nor terminated by any evening. From that everlasting perpetual festivity, a certain sweet and melodious strain strikes on the ears of the heart, provided only the world do not drown the sounds. As he walks in this tabernacle, and contemplates God’s wonderful works for the redemption of the faithful, the sound of that festivity charms his ears, and bears the “hart” away to “the water-brooks.” But seeing, brethren, so long as “we are at home in this body, we are absent from the Lord;” and “the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthly tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth on many things;” even though we have some way or other dispersed the clouds, by walking as “longing” leads us on, and for a brief while have come within reach of that sound, so that by an effort we may catch something from that “house of God,” yet through the burden, so to speak, of our infirmity, we sink back to our usual level, and relapse to our ordinary state. And just as there we found cause for rejoicing, so here there will not be wanting an occasion for sorrow. For that hart that made “tears” its “bread day and night,” born along by “longing to the waterbrooks” (that is, to the spiritual delights of God), “pouring forth his soul above himself,” that he may attain to what is “above” his own soul, walking towards “the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even unto the house of God,” and led on by the sweetness of that inward spiritual sound to feel contempt for all outward things, and be born on to things spiritual, is but a mortal man still; is still groaning here, still bearing about the frailty of flesh, still in peril in the midst of the “offenses” of this world. He therefore glances back to himself? as if he were coming from that world; and says to himself, now placed in the midst of these sorrows, comparing these with the things, to see which he had entered in there, and after seeing which he had come forth from thence;” Commentary by Augustin 3

Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Deuteronomy 16:14-15 “And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.” Read Also: II Samuel 16:12; Psalm 102:9; Psalm 79:10-12; II Samuel 15:30; Luke 6:21; I Chronicles 15:15 ff.; Psalm 122:1. Consider the following Questions for the Discussion: 1. How was it true that David had tears as his meat day and night? 2. Do we find that this is true in our lives on this earth? Why? 3. How does the fact that the enemies ask, Where is thy God?, add to the tears of God's children? 4. When we think upon these things how do we do what David did, that is to think upon the fact that he with the multitude went up to the house of God? 5. Do we actually go to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise? Explain 6. In our day the question is more and more asked ,where is thy God? Are we able to answer and testify of our God ? A few thoughts concerning this passage: The fact that David could not worship at the house of God caused him great sorrow. And this sorrow was made the worse for the enemies of God made mockery of God, in his plight. He could not go to Jerusalem and they say, where is thy God? This caused him heavy grief of soul, so much so that he literally did not eat, but found only relief in tears. We ought to have such grief when we are kept from the proper worship of God. Sometimes we are rather only too happy to find some excuse not to go to hear the preaching of the Word. Even we miss Bible Studies on the basis of some weak earthly reasoning. It is at the house of God we are built up, it is there that we are nourished and strengthened in our faith. It is in the study of the Scripture that we are given strength for the battle against Satan and his co-workers. O! That we would weep more, especially when those about us make mockery of God. But this was even a motivation for David to remember the blessings he had with the people of God at the tabernacle, when he went up with them there and they were fed and nourished. He knew that His God while he was not able to point and say there he is, David could say my God is in the heavens, He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. (Psalm 111:3). And so may we, our God governs and upholds all things, even when we are brought low, or in the future when we will not be able to go to the house of the Lord. And this will happen, and when it does, when antichrist increases in power not only will we need to flee to the mountains much like David, but they will say also to us, where is thy God? And we too will weep, and pour out our souls unto God. But then we will also know that Jehovah cares for us and keeps us. He will cause that we 4

remember the blessings we have had under the Word preached, and He will lift us up. Conclusion: We stand in Christ, and Christ was mocked the same way, and He wept, and He grieved, but He also had the victory and gives it to us as well, as we shall see, we shall be comforted even as David expresses this in latter verses.

Day Three Hoping In God Psalm 42: 5-6 It is my God that is “the saving health of my countenance.” For to account for his fears, in the midst of those things, which he now knows, having come after a sort to the “understanding” of them, he has been looking behind him again in anxiety, lest the enemy be stealing upon him: he cannot yet say, “I am made whole every whir.” For having but “the first-fruits of the Spirit, we groan within ourselves; waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body.” When that “health” (that salvation) is perfected in us, then shall we be living in the house of God for ever, and praising for ever Him to whom it was said, “Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, they will be praising Thee world without end.” This is not so yet, because the salvation which is promised, is not as yet in being; but it is “in hope” that I confess unto God, and say, “My God is the saving health of my countenance.” For it is “in hope” that “we are saved; but hope that is seen, is not hope.”... “My soul is disquieted on account of myself” (ver. 6). Is it disquieted on account of God? It is on my own account it is disquieted. By the Unchangeable it was revived; it is by the changeable it is disquieted. I know that the righteousness of God remaineth; whether my own will remain steadfast, I know not. For I am alarmed by the Apostle’s saying, “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Therefore since “there is no soundness in me for myself,” there is no hope either for me of myself. “My soul is disquieted on account of myself.”... “Therefore I remember Thee, O Lord, from the land of Jordan, and from the little hill of Hermon.” From whence did I remember thee? From the “little hill,” and from the “land of Jordan.” Perhaps from Baptism, where the remission of sins is given. For no one runs to the remission of sins, except he who is dissatisfied with himself; no one runs to the remission of sins, but he who confesses himself a sinner; no one confesses himself a sinner, except by humbling himself before God. Therefore it is from “the land of Jordan I have remembered thee, and from the hill;” observe, not “of the great hill,” that thou mayest make of the “little hill” a great one: for “whoso exalteth himself shall be abased, and whoso humbleth himself shall be exalted.” If you would also ask the meanings of the names, Jordan means “their descent.” Descend then, that thou mayest be “lifted up:” be not lifted up, lest thou be cast down. “And the little hill of Hermon.” Hermon means “anathematizing.” Anathematize thyself, by being displeased with thyself; for if thou art pleased with thyself, God will be displeased with thee. Because then God gives us all good things, because He Himself is good, not because we are worthy of it; because He is merciful, not because we have in anything deserved it; it is from “the land of Jordan, and from Hermon,” that I remember thee. And because he so remembers with humility, he shall earn his exaltation.” Commentary by Augustin

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Scripture Leading for this Lesson: Lamentations 3:24-26 “ The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Read Also: Matthew 14:33-34; Psalm 61:2; Hebrews 10:36-37; Matthew 28:24; Jonah 2:7. Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. Why does David ask the questions in verse five? 2. Should we ask ourselves these same questions when we are down, when our sins rise up against us, or when the enemies press upon us? Explain a bit 3. When David speaks to his soul, what does he mean when he says, hope thou in God? 4. What is the help of God's countenance mean? 5. Next David addresses God and tells him his soul is cast down within him, why does he tell God this? 6. What is David telling God in his statement, “therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan...”? 7. How does I Thessalonians 5:8 relate to verse 6 of this passage? A few thoughts concerning this passage: David struggles with his doubts and his sorrows at this time of great distress. He is not at all unlike us when things are difficult for us. We too can have spiritual struggles in our family life, in our desire for the things of God's kingdom, and because of our sins. We can become spiritually down and also easily can and do have tears, and even doubts especially when separated from the Word of God. But the child of God by grace and because of the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ fights a battle of faith, and cries out with David, why art thou cast down, O my soul? He realizes that it is wrong to be cast down for our hope is in Jehovah. He governs and upholds all things. He works all things for our salvation. Our help is in God, His face is toward us. He knows us in Christ and in mercy He shall deliver us. Indeed our soul is cast down within us, for we have nothing in ourselves to trust. However, we with David will remember God, this God of our salvation and be comforted. Conclusion: May we remember to do this also in our times of greatest need. In the loss of loved ones, in the afflictions of the flesh, in the battles with our own sin, and when the wicked persecute us and cause us to be separated even from the house of God. God is our refuge and our strength.

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Day Four God Brings Us Low Psalm 42: 7 Depth calleth unto depth. These words express the grievousness, as well as the number and long continuance, of the miseries which he suffered; as if he had said, I am oppressed not only with one kind of misery, but various kinds of distress return one after another, so that there seems to be neither end nor measure to them. In the first place, by the term depth, he shows that the temptations by which he was assailed were such, that they might well be compared to gulfs in the sea; then he complains of their long continuance, which he describes by the very appropriate figure, that his temptations cry out from a distance, and call to one another. In the second part of the verse, he continues the same metaphor, when he says, that all the waves and floods of God have passed over his head. By this he means that he had been overwhelmed, and as it were swallowed up by the accumulation of afflictions. It ought, however, to be observed, that he designates the cruelty of Saul, and his other enemies, floods of God, that in all our adversities we may always remember to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God which afflicts us. But it is of importance to go beyond this, and to consider, that if it should please God to rain with violence upon us, as soon as he shall have opened his sluices or waterspouts, there will be no termination to our miseries till he is appeased” Commentary by Calvin Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 69:14-18 “Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me. Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.” Read Also: Psalm 88:7-8; Lamentation 3:53-55; Job 10:17; Psalm 138:7 Consider the following Questions for the Lesson: 1. The depth of the sea according to Calvin rightly refers to David's recalling what? 2. And when he speaks of deep calling unto deep what is the idea? 3. The noise of the waterspouts points to even more of the same, do we also face this increasing trouble over our sin, or because of the enemy? 4. As we consider the overwhelming nature of the miseries that are brought against us can we say that our Lord Jesus Christ also faced this same misery and even terror? Explain. 5. Who sends the waves and billows according to David?

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6. Why does this not leave us without hope? A few thoughts concerning this passage: We should understand that this seventh verse does speak of the increasing experience of the miseries of sin. This is true of sin in general for the child of God, the old man is miserable. We are sinners and all that we are worthy of is judgment, and heavy are the miseries of our sin, the original sin we have in Adam, and the actual sin we have walked in. The judgment of that sin completely covers us, and there appears no escape. And this worthiness of judgment only increases in time. David experienced this and so do we. The billows of misery cover us, and the judgments only increase. The greatness of this judgment is that which came upon our Lord Jesus Christ and caused Him to cry out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me.” This is the depth of the misery, it is caused by the wrath of God against our sin, and led Jesus to bear all the curse of that judgment even to being separated from God. Unfathomable depth of judgment due unto us. We ought with David see its greatness, and our utter unworthiness of the blessing of God. But the wonder is there is deliverance in Christ. Conclusion: May we be humbled to the dust, may we see the enormity of our own sin, and then we will be able to go unto the next verse, and see ourselves as miserable sinners, yet by grace saved.

Day Five Loving Kindness and His Song Psalm 42: 8 “I do not, indeed, positively deny, that for the strengthening of his faith, David calls to memory the benefits which he had already experienced from God; but I think that he here promises himself deliverance in future, though it be as yet hidden from him. I have, therefore, no desire to raise any discussion regarding the verb, whether it should be taken in the future or in the past tense, provided only it be fully admitted that the argument of David is to this effect: Why should I not expect that God will be merciful to me, so that in the day-time his loving-kindness may be manifested towards me, and by night upon my bed a song of joy be with me? He, no doubt, places this ground of comfort in opposition to the sorrow which he might well apprehend from the dreadful tokens of the divine displeasure, which he has enumerated in the preceding verse. The prayer of which he speaks in the end of the verse is not to be understood as the prayer of an afflicted or sorrowful man; but it comprehends an expression of the delight which is experienced when God, by manifesting his favor to us, gives us free access into his presence. And, therefore, he also calls him the God of his life, because from the knowledge of this arises cheerfulness of heart.” Commentary by Calvin Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 143:8-11 “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.” 8

Read Also: Deuteronomy 28: 8-9; Psalm 63:6; Isaiah 30:29; Ac:ts 16:25; Psalm 27:1; Colossians 3:3. Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. What is the significance that David uses the name Jehovah in this verse? 2. Why can David have this confidence in the light of his present condition? 3. What is the lovingkindness of God towards David or us rooted in? 4. Are we so comforted that in the daytime we are assured of Jehovah's lovingkindness and in the night are assured of having His song with us? Explain what this means to be able to have His song with us at night. 5. He is also confident that his prayer can be made to God each night, what does this mean to you? 6. What is the importance that David prays unto the "God of my life"? A few thoughts concerning this passage: It is significant that at this point David uses the name Jehovah in this verse. It means that he relies upon the faithful covenant God to deliver him from his deepest woes. He cannot, nor can we stand a moment in our own strength before God, especially in the light of our own sinfulness. However, trusting in Jehovah, he trusts in God's eternal love for His people and knows that He will be merciful, and in grace will deliver them. The sacrifices that pointed to Christ testified also to David's heart that his sins would be forgiven. And we have the confidence of the reality, that Jesus did die on the cross a propitiation for our sin. And thus we with David are assured even in our deepest trouble that God's lovingkindness shall be with us each day. For our God cannot deny Himself, He cannot deny His eternal decree rooted in His love for us in Christ. Throughout the day therefore we will fight the battles of faith in the confidence of His Sovereign Fatherly care. Then also at night, at the end of the days activities, even recounting our failures, our sins, we will have the song of God with us. The song of salvation. And as the Spirit dwells within us on the basis of the mercy of God in Christ we will pray in comfort to the God of Life. For we know that though we be dead in sins, He is the God Who gives life to His own. Thus we shall at the end of the day, having faced all the troubles and turmoil of life, as we pass through this life as pilgrims and strangers we will also sleep in peace. Conclusion: By the grace of God remember this as you serve God from day to day, and when the trials seem overwhelming turn back to this verse and be assured of your right by the grace of God to also so confess Jehovah's care of you. And in particular in these latter days may we remember to so stand.

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Day Six God Our Rock Psalm 42: 9 “David, in this verse, combines the prayer which it contains with the reflections which faith led him to make. And, surely, whoever, from a persuasion of the paternal love of God, anticipates for himself the same favor which David has just described, will also be induced from his example to pray for it with greater confidence. The meaning, then, will be this: Since I expect that God will be favorable to me, inasmuch as by day he manifests his favor towards me, and continues to do this, so that even by night I have occasion to praise him, I will bewail the more frankly my miseries before him, saying, O Lord! My rock, why hast thou forgotten me? In making such a complaint, the faithful are not to be understood as meaning that God has utterly rejected them: for if they did not believe that they were under his care and protection, it were in vain for them to call upon him. But they speak in this manner according to the sense of the flesh. This forgetfulness, then, relates both to outward appearance, and to the disquietude by which the faithful are troubled according to the flesh, although, in the meantime, they rest assured by faith that God regards them, and will not be deaf to their request.” Commentary by Calvin Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 62:6-8 “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Read Also: Psalm 18:2; Psalm 62:2; Psalm 13:1-2; Psalm 22:1-2; Psalm 43:2; Psalm 55:3 Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. What is the importance of praying to God Who is David's rock and ours? 2. What is implied in the term “rock”? 3. After speaking of the confidence of God's faithfulness towards him, why does David return to complaint? 4. This cry does remind us of the Lord's cry on the cross, why did Christ also pray a similar prayer.? 5. Do the enemies of God ever cause you to mourn? Explain. 6. In what ways are the child of God's enemies aggressive?

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A few thoughts concerning this passage: David in this prayer addresses God as His rock, further there is no question that David feels himself utterly cut off from the lovingkindness of God of which he just confessed. However, David gives expression to the reality that his way is so difficult and misery so great at the time, that it seems to his flesh as though God has utterly forsaken him. He expresses the depth of the way in which he is led. A way so deep that it makes us according to the flesh to think that God has forgotten us in our way. Now further, he asks why he goes mourning at the hands of the enemy. For he understands that his enemies were also the enemies of God, and it seems as though God has given him over to this enemy. We also can really pray this prayer as we find that we are often the object of the attack and aggressive attack of the enemy, especially of Satan himself in the limited time he has left as he strives to bring us down the paths of unbelief. Jesus also in His flesh could cry the very familiar cry, when he cried out on the cross My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me. Jesus knew that God's faithfulness would not depart from Him, and yet in His flesh was forsaken of God when bearing our guilt. And certainly the enemies of God were intent on destroying Christ if it were possible. But Jesus also cried out MY GOD, MY GOD. He trusted that God would deliver Him as God would keep His covenant with Him and His Body, the church. The reason that we can pray to God our rock is that we are able to take refuge in Christ, and He is our firm foundation. He is our Savior God, and we have in Him the strength to be faithful Conclusion: When it seems to our flesh, that all things are against us, and even as though God has forgotten us, may we remember that Jesus was forsaken of God that we might never be. And therefore let us always go forward trusting in God our rock, immovable in all His ways to save and deliver us.

Day Seven Our Enemies Reproach Us Psalm 42: 10 “For of all the bitter evils which befall us, there is nothing which can inflict upon us a severer wound than to see the wicked tear in pieces the majesty of God, and endeavor to destroy and overturn our faith. The doctrine taught by Paul, (Galatians 4:24,) concerning the persecution of Ishmael, is well known. Many consider his childish jesting as of little moment, but as it tended to this effect, that the covenant of God should be esteemed as a thing of no value, it is on that account, according to the judgment of the Holy Spirit, to be accounted a most cruel persecution. David, therefore, with much propriety, compares to a slaughtering sword, which penetrates even within the bones and marrow, the derision of his enemies, by which he saw his own faith and the word of God trampled under foot. And would to God that all who boast themselves of being his children would learn to bear their private wrongs more patiently, and to manifest the same vehement zeal for which David is here distinguished, when their faith is assailed to the dishonor of God, and when the word also which gives them life is included in the same reproach!” Commentary by Calvin

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Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 79:9-10 “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy n ame's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.” Read Also: Psalm 115:1-3; Isaiah 36:4; Proverbs 12:18; Psalm 42:3-5; Micah 7:10. Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. What do you believe to be the idea of the figure, a sword in my bones? 2. Do we have enemies of God that reproach us? Explain . 3. When reproached do we feel the deep seated pain that David expresses? In what manner? 4. Can you show that Christ also as our Head experienced such pain? 5. When enemies reproach God's people, do you believe they always say, Where is thy God? Explain. 6. What are the reasons for the enemies reproach? 7. Do you believe you recognize the enemies who reproach you as you are in Christ? 8. Where do the enemies arise from in this life? A few thoughts concerning this passage: David experienced the hatred of the world because he was a child of God. Jesus teaches us that the world hated him and shall hate those that are in him. This has always been true of God's people. It was seen in very concrete ways in the Old Dispensation as the world round about Israel repeatedly tried to overthrow God's people. The oppression of the wicked is great against the church and causes the church much distress. Certainly David expresses this in the present Psalm, and we know that Jesus in a way that none other can comprehend also came to know the deep distress and pain of those reproaching Him. We may expect nothing different as we live as pilgrims and strangers in the midst of the world. As God gives us grace to live as His children, we will experience the reproach of the wicked. The reason is that they hate the God in whom we trust. They despise the life that He gives to us, and they experience in witnessing the life of God's children, that they in their ways stand condemned by the righteous God Whom we serve. And therefore they turn against us for they cannot harm Jehovah. Now when the wicked do this and bring hardship against us, they also taunt us saying, Where is thy God? They even did this to Christ, as we noted in Matthew 27: 43. They deny there is a God Who judges, and they attempt to make us doubt by this question. Especially in the day of antichrist shall the wicked so mock and taunt the church as he and his co-workers all but destroy the church. And this is a fearful thing for our flesh. It is not easy to be so reproached, and it shall not be easy as the reproach increases before Christ comes again. Further the wicked arise out of all sides. That is in the world of ungodliness with all the temptations they set before us, but also the attack can come 12

from within the church even as David faced, with the rebellion of his son and at other times. And of course even our old man joins in the chorus against us. Conclusion: We must remember that the question is answerable, we can exclaim with the Psalmist in Psalm 115:3 Our God is in the heavens and He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. Jehovah reigns even over the wicked and the reproach they bring against us shall serve our good and salvation. And that we are counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake is a blessing.

Day Eight The Health of Our Countenance Psalm 42: 11 “Where is your God?” “Let Him deliver you, if He can.” For men saw their torments outwardly; they did not inwardly behold their crowns! “They who trouble me cast me in the teeth, while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” And on this account, seeing “my soul is disquieted on account of myself,” what else should I say unto it than those words: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul; and why dost thou disquiet me?” (ver. 11). And, as it seems to answer, “Wouldest thou not have me disquiet thee, placed as I am here in so great evils? Wouldest thou have me not disquiet thee, panting as I am after what is good, thirsting and laboring as I am for it?” What should I say, but, “Hope thou in God; for I will yet confess unto Him” (ver. 11). He states the very words of that confession; he repeats the grounds on which he fortifies his hope. “He is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Commentary by Augustin Scripture Reading for this Lesson: 2 Corinthians 4:8-14 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” Read Also: Hebrews 6:17-20; Lamentations 3:24 Consider the following Questions for this Lesson: 1. Why does David repeat nearly word for word the fifth verse? 2. How does this passage again remind David and us that we must not doubt God's faithfulness?

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3. Is it possible to see a difference between this text and that of verse five when David speaks of “my” countenance instead of His countenance? 4. How does this answer the David's anguish with the enemies that reproach him? A few thoughts concerning this passage: In the first place, it is necessary to comment on the similarity between this and the fifth verse. In response to this we note that David when considering the deep place that he has been placed in by God, wherein he has become the reproach of the enemies of God, was cast again into spiritual despair. This is caused by the fact that his God's name is brought into mockery by the enemies of God. This pained his soul apart from the fact that he personally was reproached. This is also true of the Christ, when He was reproached by the wicked, it cause Him to grieve because they called His Father into question, where is Thy God, even the thieves on the cross joined in this chorus. We also should be so grieved at the reproach of the wicked of the children of God, and of us, especially of the mockery of our Father in heaven. This reproach is being heaped upon the church on every side as the world goes awhoring after antichrist. We see this on the TV, we see it in the politics of our country, we see it in the despising of the marriage union in the midst of this world, etc. Does it pain our souls, it ought to. David on the other hand, as he faces these deep reproaches, questions his own soul's being disquieted within him. There is not a good reason for this, and he answers his soul, when again he admonishes his soul, hope thou in God. This was always the perfect life of Christ, His hope always was fastened upon the living God in all His suffering and death. And it must be the same for you and me. Indeed David concludes with confidence that he would yet praise God, and that God is always the health of his countenance and his God. Jehovah is the strength of our lives and He is our God, the God of our salvation. David and we believe this because God is merciful towards us in the mercy He has for us in Christ. Conclusion: Again our attention is brought to the covenant faithfulness of our God to His elect children, no matter into what path He leads us. And He will glorify Himself in our salvation and the judgment of the wicked.

Day Nine Prayer for Deliverance Psalm 43: 1 “I. As his Judge, his righteous Judge, who he knew would judge him, and who (being conscious of his own integrity) he knew would judge for him (v. 1): Judge me, O God! and plead my cause. There were those that impeached him; against them he is defendant, and from their courts, where he stood unjustly convicted and condemned, he appeals to the court of heaven, the supreme judicature, praying to have their judgment given against him reversed and his innocency cleared. There were those that had injured him; against them he is plaintiff, and exhibits his complaint to him who is the avenger of wrong, praying for justice for himself and upon them. Observe, 14

1. Who his enemies were, with whom he had this struggle. Here was a sinful body of men, whom he calls an ungodly or unmerciful nation. Those that are unmerciful make it appear that they are ungodly; for, those that have any fear or love of their master will have compassion on their fellowservants. And here was one bad man the head of them, a deceitful and unjust man, most probably Saul, who not only showed no kindness to David, but dealt most perfidiously and dishonestly with him. If Absalom was the man he meant, his character was no better. As long as there are such bad men out of hell, and nations of them, it is not strange that good men, who are yet out of heaven, meet with hard and base treatment. Some think that David, by the spirit of prophecy, calculated this psalm for the use of the Jews in their captivity in Babylon, and that the Chaldeans are the ungodly nation here meant; to them it was very applicable, but only as other similar scriptures, none of which are of private interpretation. God might design it for their use, whether David did or no. 2. What is his prayer with reference to them: Judge me. As to the quarrel God had with him for sin, he prays, "Enter not into judgment with me, for then I shall be condemned;" but, as to the quarrel his enemies had with him he prays, "Lord, judge me, for I know that I shall be justified; plead my cause against them, take my part, and in thy providence appear on my behalf." He that has an honest cause may expect that God will plead it. "Plead my cause so as to deliver me from them, that they may not have their will against me." We must reckon our cause sufficiently pleaded if we be delivered, though our enemies be not destroyed. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.) Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 26:1-6 “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:” Read Also: Psalm 7:8; I Samuel 24:15; Micah 7:9-10; II Samuel 15:31; Psalm 119:154. Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. How can you pray the prayer to God to judge you and plead your cause as David did? 2. Or knowing David's sins and failures in serving God, how could he expect God to hear this prayer? 3. Are we any more worthy than David with respect to this prayer? Comment 4. What nation is David referring to? 5. Why does he pray to God to be delivered from the deceitful and unjust man? 6. Can and ought we to so pray?

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A few thoughts concerning this lesson: When David prays, judge me, he does not mean to call God to pronounce sentence upon him, but that God be his advocate and to do justice in this case by upholding him as right. This is evident as he continues to say this in the next phrase, plead my cause against an ungodly nation. The nation is that of Israel that had followed the lead of wicked men and departed from serving God aright. Some think he speaks this with respect to the future captivity by Babylon, but this is a stretch that cannot be made. Although also Israel could pray this prayer at the time of the captivity. They were being oppressed by an ungodly nation. But now David was being sought to slay him. He was kept from the tabernacle in Jerusalem, by a nation that had left off obedience to God. Whether the historic occasion was that of Saul or of Absalom, he prays that his cause in the service of Jehovah be maintained over against that of his enemies. We too may so pray, we may call upon God to judge us, to plead our cause, and we may do so because we are dependent upon His grace to sustain us in the battle of faith. Neither David nor we can stand in our own strength in this battle, but being mercifully forgiven and by the Spirit quickened we fight the right battle and may pray that God sustain us in it. That Christ may be our advocate against the wicked and the wicked one. And God hears David and hears us for His Son's sake, Who was the oppressed, and that at the hands of an ungodly nation and deceitful and unjust man. For His covenant's sake, for Jesus' sake, for righteousness sake He shall hear David and us. Conclusion: As time continues to advance toward the day of Christ's return, we shall be oppressed more and more by the ungodly and in particular at the time of antichrist by deceitful and unjust man. So we too must bring this prayer to God for the grace and strength to stand, may He justify our place in the body of Christ.

Day Ten The God of Our Strength Psalm 43 : 2 As his strength, his all-sufficient strength; so he eyes God (v. 2): "Thou art the God of my strength, my God, my strength, from whom all my strength is derived, in whom I strengthen myself, who hast often strengthened me, and without whom I am weak as water and utterly unable either to do or suffer any thing for thee." David now went mourning, destitute of spiritual joys, yet he found God to be the God of his strength. If we cannot comfort ourselves in God, we may stay ourselves upon him, and may have spiritual supports when we want spiritual delights. David here pleads this with God: "Thou art the God on whom I depend as my strength; why then dost thou cast me off?" This was a mistake; for God never cast off any that trusted in him, whatever melancholy apprehensions they may have had of their own state. "Thou art the God of my strength; why then is my enemy too strong for me, and why go I mourning because of his oppressive power?" It is hard to reconcile the mighty force of the church's enemies with the almighty power of the church's God; but the day will reconcile them when all his enemies shall become his footstool.” (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.) 16

Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 54:1-4 “Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.” Read Also: Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 28: 7-8; Psalm 77: 9; Job 35: 9-10. Consider the following Questions in the Discussion: 1. When David says that God is the God of his strength, what does this say with respect to the oppression of the enemy? 2. When we are pressed upon by our spiritual enemies, whether that be satan, the world of unbelief, or our own flesh do we see God as our strength? Explain. 3. In what manner is God our strength? 4. As mothers how do you teach this to your children? 5. Can you give some examples of how the children of God today are oppressed by the enemy? A few thoughts concerning this passage: When David refers to God as the God of his strength, he acknowledges that God guides him in all of his paths. It is God alone that set him up on the throne of the kingdom of Israel. And David knows that providentially it is God that has now allowed the enemy to bring him into oppression. We must also see that there are times that God enables our enemies to have the upper hand in our lives. For it is necessary that we are brought low, that God alone may receive the glory for our salvation. David's question is also concerned with the glory of God. It seems as though the unbelief has the upper hand and he wills that the right triumph over the unjust, that his God receives the glory. For only God can give the victory to His people. Conclusion: May we understand that it is God Who leads us into all paths, and when we come under wickedness in that path may we trust that Jesus will provide us deliverance from oppression. And as we are delivered from the oppression, because God is our only strength He will receive the glory.

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Day Eleven Led By Light and Truth Psalm 43:3 “In order, then, to encourage himself in the hope of obtaining the grace of God, David rests with confidence in this, that God, who is true, and cannot deceive any, has promised to assist his servants. We must therefore explain the sentence thus: Send forth thy light, that it may be a token and testimony of thy truth, or that it may really and effectually prove that thou art faithful and free from all deceit in thy promises. The knowledge of the divine favor, it is true, must be sought for in the Word of God; nor has faith any other foundation on which it can rest with security except his word; but when God stretches out his hand to help us, the experience of this is no small confirmation both of the word and of faith. David declares what was the chief object of his desire, and what end he had in view in seeking deliverance from his calamities, when he says, Let them direct me, and lead me to thy holy hill. As the chief cause of his sorrow consisted in his being banished from the congregation of the godly, so he places the height of all his enjoyments in this, that he might be at liberty to take part in the exercises of religion, and to worship God in the sanctuary. Tacitly, indeed, David makes a vow of thanksgiving to God; but there can be no doubt, that by these words he intimates, that the end which he had in view in seeking deliverance from his afflictions was, that as formerly he might be at liberty to return to the sanctuary, from which he was driven by the tyranny of his enemies." Commentary by Calvin Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm:9-12 "Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." Read Also: Psalm 40:11; Psalm 97:11-12; Micah 7:8; Psalm 132:13-16; I Chronicles 16:1-2. Consider the following Questions for the Lesson: 1. What is God's light and His truth? 2. How do we receive them? 3. How does David express this in this verse? 4. What is the holy hill? 5. Why is it called holy? 6. What would you liken to it today?

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A few thoughts concerning this passage: As David at the time of this text was forced out of Jerusalem and separated from the tabernacle and is pressed upon by the enemies of God he finds a deep need for the Word of God. It is so for us, when we are cast into the deepest trials, we need the truth to lead us. We do not long for the psychologist, the doctor, or the soothsayer to give us guidance and strength, we do not even trust in ourselves which would leave us utterly hopeless. But we long to come under the instruction of God, to come under the preaching of His Word, to be led by His Son in the pathways of light. And this is decidedly the case when our own sins rise up against us to deprive us of God's fellowship. When God brings us to repentance our hunger and thirst is for the Word of His mercy and grace. So David desired the light and truth of God to lead him. Only could he find hope in these. The light shall give guidance in the midst of darkness, and the truth is our defense against the deceit of the wicked. And this comes with the Word of God, the Word that is proclaimed in the holy hill. Where God dwells with His people, that of course is the holiness of mount Zion, for there is nothing holy about the mere piece of land on which the tabernacle and the temple would rest. But there on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ typified in the sacrifices at the tabernacle God dwelt with Israel. And by His Spirit and Word he dwells with us and lifts us out of all troubles. For this David longed, the time when he would be delivered from the enemy to dwell again in the presence of God. Of course, Christ and David longed for and we long for the day when we shall pass from this life and enter into the heavenly tabernacle where we shall only have the light of God and His truth as our nourishment day and night, yea even forever. Conclusion: May we hunger and thirst to enter the presence of God through His Word and in His Light at our congregation, may we be given to prayer that we be led there, and that our pastors may be faithful to the truth as they are the means to feed and nourish us there.

Day Twelve God Our Exceeding Joy Psalm 43:4 "And I will go to the altar of God. Here he promises to God a solemn sacrifice, in commemoration of the deliverance which he should obtain from him; for he speaks not only of the daily or ordinary service, but in making mention of the altar on which it was customary to offer the peace offerings, he expresses the token of gratitude and thanksgiving of which I have spoken. For this reason, also, he calls God the God of his joy, because, being delivered from sorrow, and restored to a state of joy, he resolves to acknowledge openly so great a benefit. And he calls him the joy of his rejoicing, that he may the more illustriously set forth the grace of his deliverance. The second word in the genitive is added by way of an epithet, and by it he signifies that his heart had been filled with joy of no common kind, when God restored him, contrary to the expectation of all." Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Psalm 116:12-17 "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, 19

truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD." Read Also: Isaiah 61:10; Romans 5:11; Psalm 71:22; Revelation 5:8-9; Jude 24-25. Consider the following Questions in the Lesson: 1. Why does David desire and say that he will go unto the altar? 2. When we are delivered is there a way we go unto the altar in this sense? Explain 3. When we say that God is our exceeding joy what does that mean? 4. Do you find God such an exceeding joy, what is the ground for that exceeding joy? 5. Why does David speak of going before God praising Him with the harp? 6. What is the significance of the phrase, "O God, my God"? A few thoughts concerning this passage: The child of God when delivered from trouble is filled with gladness and thanksgiving. It can be no other wise. And that thanksgiving is felt and rendered to the One Who delivers us. David knows that only God can deliver him from the enemy, there are no works, nor is their any thing else that can deliver us from the enemy that has separated us from the service of God. This is true first of all of our sin. Many have vainly attempted to find other ways to escape the judgment that is due for sin, but there can none be found.. Only a gracious and merciful God can and does deliver us from the misery of sin. He does so through the blood of atonement shed by His Only Begotten Son. And further the only one that can deliver us from the enemy that would put us under tribulation is the Sovereign God Who loves us from eternity in His Son. David, as we, realize when come into such misery, that there is nothing in self that makes us worthy of deliverance, and that it is alone the God of grace that can and does save His people. Therefore in a contrite and humble spirit David and we will approach the altar with sacrifice of thanksgiving. David would bring his peace offering not in the sense that he can do something for God, but in the obedience of thankfulness acknowledging that alone on the basis of God's mercy is he delivered. It is in the same manner that we approach God in thanksgiving looking only to praise Him for the one sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ which delivers and saves. David goes on to say upon the harp he will praise God, the soul delivered cannot be quiet but is filled with joy and rejoicing, which joy bubbles forth from our lips in praise of the God Who saves us. We find it a joy to sing the songs of praise unto His Name. Conclusion: Indeed we also will cry out O God my God. For He is our God Who rules over all things, even over our enemies, and He is our God in an eternal love. He is alone worthy of all of our praise.

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Day Thirteen Our Abiding Hope Psalm 43:5 Because this verse is the same as the last verse of the previous Psalm and nearly the same as the fifth verse of that Psalm, we will not treat it as such. Yet it shall serve as the basis of that which we will treat. It must be remembered that as children of God when we are brought into deep ways we can become depressed spiritually and physically and yet we ought not to despair. This is true because our hope goes beyond the earthly things and reaches unto eternity. Our hope rests not in anything of this life, but abides with Jehovah the faithful covenant God. This truth must go with us as we face the end of time, for we may expect for ourselves and/or for our children times that will be much more difficult than even David faced when penning the words of these two Psalms. And because I did not call this to our attention quite as much as I wanted in the lesson above, we shall consider some of the things with respect to the coming tribulation in light of these passages. Scripture Reading for this Lesson: Matthew 24:11-12 & 19-20 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." Read Also: Deuteronomy 4:30-31; I Samuel 26:24-25; Matthew 24:29-30; John 16:33; Romans 8:35; Revelation 2:9-10; Revelation 7:13-14. Consider the following Questions for the Lesson: 1. Having seen the anguish of soul that David had under persecution may we expect that we will not also experience this as the day of our Lord approaches and we come more and more under the tribulation that the world under antichrist brings? Discuss some. 2. Can you explain some of the ways we see the signs of Christ's imminent return being revealed to us? 3. Do you believe that their will be better governments to help us as children of God dwell here as pilgrims below in the future, or do you think that it will continue to get harder for our flesh? Discuss and explain your answer. 4. Must we be watchmen on the towers of Zion, in these days with regard to our own churches, in light of the immense growth of apostasy in the church and ungodliness in the world? Discuss

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5. Will you remember these Psalms and the calling given to our souls to rest in the Lord, to hope in God? A few thoughts concerning this passage: There is no doubt that the church will soon be found in the days of tribulation as set forth in the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24. O, I will not attempt, nor may I attempt to set a day or a time when this Scripture is fulfilled to the full. However, already now we must admit that it is even now begun. This in the sense that like no time before Jesus' words concerning the great apostasy is already taking place. Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 24:12 "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." With deliberate coldness all the basic doctrines of the Scripture are overthrown in the present church world. Instead of the preaching of the word of God, there is foolishness and vanity found upon the pulpits of this land and all the world. The gospel indeed has been preached in all nations, tribes and tongues and has been rejected for the large part, while little remnants of faithful saints are being gathered. On the basis of what is said to be the truth in the world and church it is evident that the abomination of desolation is beginning to stand in the holy place. Thus there is no reason to expect that it shall be long when the church must flee, already our people and other children of God around the world lose their jobs because of their faith. They will not join the unholy unions, they will not labor on the Lord's Day, they will not help their employer to deceive, they will not tolerate evil that opposes God in the workplace. They lose their jobs. We soon will not be able to buy or sell, without joining this godless generation. Man strives mightily for peace and union of all nations, it is coming. And then the church, the true elect church, that will not and cannot join the antichristian church that goes under the name christianity will become the focus of all the effort of this world to destroy the last vestiges of praise and service of the true God, Jehovah. The true church will not be able to worship together in a public building, but will again flee to the hills and caves as was the case at the time of the sixth head of Antichrist (the Roman Empire). Do we fear these days. O to be sure we will be troubled, and will be miserable, and our souls may indeed experience anguish as did David's. But it will be especially because we are separated from the living Word as it is preached, and we will also long for the tabernacle of God. However, our longing will be for the end, the final judgment of our enemies, the enemies of God. And that we might enter into the heavenly tabernacle to dwell with our Lord forever with joy unspeakable, singing the praise of Jehovah Who is ever faithful to His covenant. We too will have to say to our souls, hope thou in God, the health of our countenance and our God. And we will do this by grace. We will remember the words of these Psalms, and we will remember the promises of God from of old, for instance the Word found in Deuteronomy 4:30-31 "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them." The Spirit said of the true church represented by Smyrna in Revelation 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." The time of the tribulation is limited for the elects sake, we shall not be destroyed, but saved and brought into heaven through the tribulation. Our God is faithful. Conclusion: Yes for our flesh we shall pass through many severe trials in this life, but through them and even the great tribulation if the Lord is willing we live then, we shall remember the words of the Spirit through Paul in Romans 8:35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" 22