TROUBLE

PSALM 27:5

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me: he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 27 is a song belonging to a larger section of Psalms (25-39) dealing with the soul exercise of the godly. Psalm 27 is a psalm relating to the proper relations in one’s life –

1. Toward God, 1-3; 2. Toward life, 4-6; 3. Toward self, 7-14.

Verse 5 is central to the section dealing with life itself. Not the progression in these verses –

Desire, vs. 4; Declaration, vs. 5; Delight, vs. 6.

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in his pavilion – This is the reason why the Psalmist desired to dwell in the house of the Lord. Pavilion is a tent or tabernacle. In the time of trouble – when he was surrounded or occupied by trouble or affliction.

He shall hide me – to put in a secret place, to defend, or to protect. It has special meaning to one who has been subdued by some danger or evil. This individual should be in the secret place of a cavern or tent, and thus rendered safe and secure.

Pavilion – tent or tabernacle. The thought suggested is that God would hide him as it were in His own dwelling, near to Himself, protected in His abode as a man protects those whom he admits to his own dwelling.

In the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me – suggesting the most private part of His dwelling place – not merely being admitted to His premises, not only to the vestibule, not just to the parts frequented by the rest of the family, but to the innermost part where He Himself went to be alone, where no one else would intrude.

This denotes two things –

1) Friendship – Nothing could denote this more than for the Master of the house to take one into his most private place where only he himself would go. THIS IS TRUE FRIENDSHIP. We have a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

2) Protection – The innermost private dwelling place of God is the place of greatest protection. He is our Protector, our Shield, our Rock, our Fortress, our Shade under whose wings we rest. Praise the Lord on High!!!!!!

He shall set me up upon a rock – above and out of reach of enemies – signifying that Christ is the highest of all – sovereign, ruling over all, including all enemies.

For shelter and safety – He is our shelter.

For strength – He being able to bear all our burdens.

Our Shelter, our Safety, and our Strength! Think of this fact: Christ is our Everything! We are sufficient in Him! Regardless of the circumstances that we face, He is able to give grace to bear them! We may be up to our necks in trouble and affliction and tribulation, but the Lord is the answer to our need as we pass through those things. Remember this – the Lord has allowed what you are facing to come your way, and He will bear you upon His shoulders as you pass through it. The Lord may not always deliver you out of the trouble, or deliver you from ever facing it, but He will always be with you as you go through it. May God cause us to rest in Him who is our Supply of what we need as we are tried and afflicted. God loves us deeply and will not allow us to be tempted above that we are able. In other words, through His love and grace, He knows our load and load limit. And He will bear our load as we rest in Him. Praise Him for this, and in your trouble, praise Him, for praise is the answer for discouragement and despondency in the midst of any need.

We who are set upon Him are in the most secure and safe state imaginable. Rest in this, afflicted saint!

NOTABLE QUOTES

A saint is often under a cross, never under a curse. – Anon.

There never yet was an unscarred saint. – Anon.

The Christian life is a bed of roses – thorns and all. – Doug Barnett.

Saints have their winter seasons. – Thomas Brooks.

As we are adopted in Christ we are appointed to the slaughter. – John Calvin.

Spiritual believers are honoured with warfare in the front line renches. – Lewis Sperry Chafer.

The Scriptures show conclusively that tribulation is a natural by-product of genuine Christianity. – William E. Cox.

Afflictions are in the covenant, and therefore they are not meant for our hurt but are intended for our good. – Matthew Henry.

The corn of God’s floor must expect to be threshed by afflictions and persecutions. – Matthew Henry.

Testing is important, inevitable . . . because we must be revealed to ourselves. – J. Russell Howden.

NEVER ALONE

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. -Heb. 13:5

I’m never alone in the morning As I rise at the break of day, As Jesus who watched through the darkness Says, “Lo, I am with you alway..”

I’m never alone at my table, Though loved ones no longer I see; For dearer than all who have vanished Is Jesus who breaks bread with me.

I’m never alone through the daylight, Though nothing but trials I see; Though the furnace be seven times heated, The “form of the fourth” walks with me.

I’m never alone at the twilight When darkness around me doth creep; And specters press hard round my pillow, He watches and cares while I sleep.

I’m walking and talking with Jesus Each day as I journey along; I’m never alone, Hallelujah! The joy of the Lord is my song.

Author Unknown

SENIOR VERSION OF JESUS LOVES ME

A pastor once stated, “I have noticed that it is the adults who choose the children’s hymn Jesus Loves Me (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it is the adults who sing the loudest for they know it the best.”

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair, or no hair at all. For us over 40 (or even those almost there) and all you others… Check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me. It is quite cute, so read, sing and enjoy:”

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know, Though my hair is white as snow. Though my sight is growing dim, Still He bids me trust in Him.

YES, JESUS LOVES ME… YES, JESUS LOVES ME… YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow, With my hand in His I’ll go. On through life, let come what may, He’ll be there to lead the way.

Though I am no longer young, I have much which He’s begun, Let me serve Christ with a smile, Go with others the extra mile.

When the nights are dark and long, In my heart He puts a song. Telling me in words so clear, “Have no fear, for I am near.” When my work on earth is done, And life’s victories have been won. He will take me home above, Then I’ll understand His love.

I love Jesus, does he know? Have I ever told Him so? Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day. Thank you for reading this study, and we trust that it blessed your heart. May the Lord Jesus be praised!

The Editor

Gene Griffin