Last week we said that we are taught to talk with the Lord and listen for His voice as we prayfully read His Word; and that we must be careful to respond to His voice. “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.'” (Ps 27:8)

We must seek His will as we face fiery trials, and they will come. In the day of trouble, we know we can trust the Lord. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) So we know that trouble will come – it’s a given.

Wherever the believer is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. “Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.” (Ps 27:9-10) God calls us by His Spirit, by His Word, by His worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflicting.

When we are foolishly making court to lying vanities, God is, in love to us, calling us to seek our own mercies in Him. The call is general, Seek ye my face; but we must apply it to ourselves, I will seek it. The Word does us no good, when we do not ourselves accept the exhortation: a gracious heart readily answers to the call of a gracious God, being made willing in the day of His power.

Here the psalmist requests the favor of the Lord; the continuance of His presence with him; the benefit of Divine guidance, and the benefit of Divine protection. God’s time to help those that trust in Him, is, when all other helpers fail. He is a surer and better Friend than earthly parents are, or can be. What was the belief which supported the psalmist? That he should see the goodness of the Lord. “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (1 Chron 16:34)

There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2), the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all calamities. In the mean time we should be strengthened to bear up under our burdens. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Eph 6:10)

Let us look unto the suffering Saviour, and pray in faith, not to be delivered into the hands of our enemies (Ps 106:10). Let us encourage each other (1 Thess 5:11) to wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31), with patient expectation (Gal 6:9), and fervent prayer (James 5:16).