Comfort in the Midst of Death

30 MARCH

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. Psalm 138: 7

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 23

Here David declares that God chooses to be His preserver, even in that means bringing him back to life in the midst of troubles.

The passage well deserves our attention, for by nature we are so averse to suffering that we wish we might live safely beyond the shot of its arrows. We shrink from close contact with even the fear of death as something altogether intolerable. At the slightest approach to danger, we are immoderately afraid, as if our emergencies preclude the hope of divine deliverance.

Faith's true office is to see life in the midst of death. It is to trust the mercy of God, not to procure us universal exemption from evil, but to quicken us in the midst of death every moment of our lives. For God humbles His children under various trials so that His defense of them may be more remarkable and that He may show Himself to be their deliverer as well as their preserver. In the world, believers are constantly exposed to danger. David offers the assurance that He will be safe under God's protection from all of His enemies and their efforts. He declares His hope is in the hand of God, which is stretched out for His help and will be invincible and victorious over every foe.

From this we are taught that God chooses to exercise His children with continual conflict, so that, having one foot as it were in the grace, they may flee with alarm to hide themselves under His wings, where they may abide in peace.

John Calvin 

FOR MEDITATION: Rather than shrinking from enemies or danger, let us place our confidence in the Lord; He alone is willing and able to save us. This ought to give us a sense of peace, even in a world of trouble where enemies abound. What do you think David meant when he said, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" (Ps. 23:5a)? 

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke

Grateful in Danger

17 MARCH

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron. Psalm 107:10

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Matthew 14:22-23

The Spirit of God mentions many dangers in which God shows His power and grace in protecting and delivering people. The world calls these vicissitudes the sport of fortune; hardly one in a hundred people ascribe them to the superintending providence of God.

But God expects a very different kind of practical wisdom from us, namely, that we should meditate on His judgments in a time of adversity and on His goodness in delivering us from danger. For surely it is not by mere chance that a person falls into the hands of enemies or robbers; neither is it by chance that a person is rescued from them. But what we must constantly keep in mind is that all afflictions are God's rod, and therefore there is no remedy for them other than God's grace.

If a person falls into the hands of robbers or thieves and is not instantly murdered, but, giving up all hope of life, expects death at any moment, surely his deliverance is striking proof of the grace of God. This grace is even more illustrious considering the few who escape from such danger. Such circumstances, then, ought not to diminish our praises of God.

The prophet charges people with ingratitude who, after they have been wonderfully saved, very soon lose sight of the deliverance granted to them. To strengthen the charge, he brings forward their sighs and cries as a testimony against them. For when they are in dangerous straits, they confess in good earnest that God is their deliverer. Why then do these confessions disappear when they enjoy peace and quietness?

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: Cries to God for deliverance come so easily and so naturally to our lips when we are humble to help ourselves. Why then does praise feel so difficult when things are going well? Are we so foolish to think that we can take care of ourselves in the good times, as if we are any less dependent on God?

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke