Spurgeon called this “Robinson Crusoe’s Text”. He wrote, “One book charmed us all in the days of our youth. Is there a boy alive who has not read it? I am not ashamed to confess that I can read it even now with ever fresh delight. You remember how Robinson Crusoe was wrecked. He is left in the desert island all alone. He is smitten with fever. He is ready to perish. Now he begins to think, and opens a Bible which he finds in his chest, and he lights upon this passage. That night he prayed for the first time in his life. It is a text which I would have written in stars across the sky, or sounded forth with trumpet at noon from the top of every tower.”
I. THE PROBLEM—“..the day of trouble..”
Days of trouble come to us all (Job 14:1) and they come at different seasons, in different sorts, and of all sizes. They are to be expected– especially when we are at odds with God. They are to be endured. And they are to be educational. They are either caused or allowed by God for a purpose, out of wisdom, and in love. They are to be experienced with that in mind. They are not accidents.
II. THE PLEA— “And call upon Me..”
This is God’s plea for our prayer. Strange that, as needy as we are, that He would have to plead with us to pray. It ought to be as natural as breathing. We shouldn’t need such an exhortation, but obviously we do. This is a gracious invitation, for which we should be thankful, but it is also a command–making it our duty as well as our delight.
III. THE PROMISE—“I will deliver thee..“
Notice that this plea and promise comes from “The mighty God”(vs.1). And since He cannot lie this is a great consolation. Regardless how dark, difficult, and dangerous the situation is the brightness of His promise gives us hope and drives our fears away. There is no exception clause mentioned, so regardless of the severity of the problem God is able to meet the need.
IV. THE PURPOSE—“and thou shalt glorify Me.“
If this be the result there should be no complaint about the means employed, nor the misery experienced in bringing us to this place. It is for this purpose that we exist! This is why Paul could take pleasure in his infirmities and rejoice in tribulation. He knew all would be for his good and God’s glory. When we make God’s glory the purpose for our living we have every right to pray for deliverance and expect it. Prayer itself honors God in that it expresses our confidence in Him, so we ought to pray much. But God is also glorified through answering our prayers. Let us then do as we’re told in Jer. 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” —HDS, 8/7/16
