The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him. That is a grand word, a stronghold, a fortress, a castle, a tower of defense! In the time of trouble, God guarantees safety to His people; they dwell surrounded as with impregnable bulwarks. He that possessed a castle was lord of all the region round about, and made their inhabitants either his clients who sought his protection or his dependents whom he ruled at will. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. The character of God is our strong tower.
He does throw many fiery darts at me, but I have no doubt as to my final victory. The foe comes tearing up the hill, ready to devour the people of God. What makes them safe against the adversary? The Lord abides forever the same, always a sure refuge for the needy. Strongholds are not like temporary camps, fortifications are intended to stand from generation to generation.
Deliverance from sin and every trouble is solely by the power of God. It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy. Nobody would have thought of this way of deliverance through a ransom if God had not invented it. Sinner, do not doubt your deliverance, for God has said it, I have found a ransom. When God Himself proclaims concerning him who is going down to the pit, I have found a ransom, then is the deliverance certain! Indeed, it is already accomplished through the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.
Rest your soul upon Him, and God will yet come to your deliverance. The clock of mercy struck in heaven the hour and moment of my deliverance, for the time had come. He makes their deliverance effectual, and in every deed He brings them forth. He feels that if he ever rises from his despondency, he can never dare to take an atom of the honor of deliverance to himself, it must be of free grace only. He can do nothing, and he knows it.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. If we had no troubles, we would all have less to declare. A person who has no experience of tribulation, what great deliverance has he to speak of? Even in the last days when all nations shall serve the Lord, the memory of this deliverance shall not be forgotten. So let your petition be mingled with praise, for you ask what God delights to give, protection in His Son, breakthrough by His Spirit, and that mighty deliverance which sets captives free. Look to your heavenly Father altogether and alone, for as you have been justified through Jesus Christ, you must also expect to receive sanctification and every covenant mercy from the same heavenly source. The Lord has chastened sorely, but He whispers to the heart of His children in trial, You shall not be crushed. He brought them forth also with silver and gold, not merely escape, but enrichment.
Elaborate gratitude is the fitting conduct after affliction and deliverance. To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.