"YET _the Lord_!" The believer, even in his deepest and darkest season of trouble, has always _this_ alternative word--"YET _the Lord will_!" I am sunk in sore trial--"_Yet_ the Lord" will be faithful to His promises! I have been bereaved of those near and dear to me--"_Yet_ the Lord" will be to me a name better than that of son or daughter! I have been laid for long years on this couch of suffering--"_Yet_ the Lord" has converted this lonely sick-chamber into the vestibule of heaven. I have been tossed and harassed with countless spiritual temptations--"_Yet_ the Lord" will not suffer these temptations to go further than I am able to bear. I am soon to walk through the dark valley--"_Yet_" will "I fear no evil, for _Thou_ art with me!"
The Psalmist's assurance of deliverance was indeed the test of no meagre faith. We know well, how apt we are to be influenced and affected by present circumstances. When all is bright, and genial, and prosperous,--amid a happy home and kind friends,--in the midst of robust health and flourishing worldly schemes, the buoyant heart is full of elasticity. The joy _without_, imparts an _inner_ sunshine. A man is happy and hopeful in spite of himself. But if all at once he is plunged into a vortex of trouble,--if clouds gather and thicken around,--the mind not only becomes the prey of its own trials, but it peoples the future with numberless imaginary evils, and its very remaining joys and blessings become tinged and sicklied over with the predominating sadness! It could as little be expected, on natural principles, that the heart could in such circumstances be hopeful and rejoicing, as to expect that the outer landscape of nature would glow and sparkle with beauty, if the clouds of heaven obscured the great fountain of light.
But faith, strong in God's word, can triumph over natural obstacles. It did so in the case of this afflicted exile. He remembered how his God had vouchsafed past deliverances, even when he least expected them;--"_They looked unto_ HIM _and were lightened_"[76] [literally, "their countenances were made bright."] He feels assured that the same loving-kindness will be "commanded" still. He sees God's covenant faithfulness resting calmly and beautifully, like the rainbow-tints in the spray of the cataract! "_Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God._"[77]