"A Day of Trouble." Reading: Psalm 20 For David the king, it was a day of national AND personal trouble. 2 Samuel 16. He is fleeing from Jerusalem. Shimei, his enemy, curses him. Absalom, his own son, has risen up against him (v 11) - a bad blow for any father. Note David’s reaction in v 12: "It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction." God will deal with them and it! When we are in trouble – from simple things in every day life to financial problems or family health issues, where do we turn? A day of trouble shows who or what we trust in! Do we lift the phone, or complain to our friends, "Why me?" Psalms 20, 23 & 42 were written out of David’s anguish at this time. These are not pious platitudes – this man has been through deep trouble. What then was the secret of his composure? Philip Keller writes: "Nothing that happens to God’s child, no matter how excruciating it may be, does so by chance. Every detail is arranged by His knowing hands and the understanding wisdom of God our Father. It is planned in love for our own good and His great honour. So all is well as we walk with Him." BUT what if we are NOT walking with the Lord – not yet saved? What if we are lukewarm, or walking afar off? We will NOT be ready when the DAY OF TROUBLE comes. Practical Advice from the Psalm 1. WE WILL rejoice in Thy salvation. (V 5) They were assured of victory in the battle – even before it started. We have seen the victory over Satan won at Calvary. Jesus cried, "It is finished." On Easter morning the angel said, "He is not here, He is risen". Salvation is in Jesus alone. Have you received it? Are you rejoicing in it? "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8 v 10. If joy were more common among the Lord’s people, God would be more glorified! When last did you say, "Isn’t it wonderful to be saved… forgiven… on the way to Heaven!" Some of you will remember the old song from the war years: "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile." But if you have to carry it on your back, it will weigh you down. Incidentally, the writer of this song committed suicide! In John Bunyan’s famous allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, Pilgrim lost his burden at the cross – it rolled down the hill and he never saw it again! 2. In the Name of the Lord WE WILL set up our banners. (V 5) i.e. we lift the standard of defiance in the face of the foe and wave the flag of victory over the fallen adversary. The times ARE evil, but so long as Jesus lives and reigns in His Church, we need not fly our banners in fear. Imagine the victorious army returning from the battle with their heads down pointing their banners to the ground! Are you oppressed by Satan? In the Name of your God (what a name!) set up your banner. "So with banner unfurled to the breeze our motto shall "Holiness" be!" 3. WE WILL remember (trust in) the Name of the Lord our God. (V 7) War chariots were the most dreaded war engines of David’s day. They were armed with scythes that mowed down the enemy like grass. The Israelites didn’t have any chariots, but they considered the Name of Jehovah to be a far better defence. How many of us today depend on the arm of flesh! "The arm of flesh will fail you. You dare not trust your own." In 1 Samuel 17 v 45 young David called out to Goliath, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." The lad who didn’t fear Goliath’s sword refused to be cowered by Saul’s chariots. The Lord says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 50 v 15. . If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this website by Mrs. Y. Stewart. Due to be updated: end June Archived Messages. 01/03/05 A Growing Church. 24/12/04 Christmas Message. 18/09/04 The Three-fold Inheritance. 23/05/04 Christ Our Life. 30/01/04 Being Faithful. 27/12/03 Advent Prediction. 11/10/03 Watchman - Guilty or Guiltless? 14/05/03 An epoch making day. 20/04/03 All hail the risen Lord. 22/03/03 Heart Cry for Revival. 02/01/03 The Church of the Open Door. 02/12/02 The River of Blessing. 01/09/02 The Revelation of the River. 04/05/02 The Greatest Watershed in History. 29/01/02 Knowing and doing the Will of God. 22/11/01 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken. 07/07/01 The Soulwinner's conflict 24/04/01 The Divine Dividend 17/03/01 The Move That Made The Difference 10/01/01 Marching On In The Will of God 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message