Our Creator promises to sustain us… if we will demonstrate our confidence in Him by trusting Him, and leaning on Him during the hard times through which we struggle.  That “if” is troubling to many believers.  It should be remembered, “every believer” trusts and obeys to some degree, so it is not as if God’s promises don’t apply to you because you fail to demonstrate that “magic level of faith” that activates God’s promises (to sustain us).  Note carefully, every believer cooperates with God to some degree (Ps 32:8-9; 37:23-24; Jn 10:3-5, 27-28), and no one comes close to giving a perfect performance (as Satan continually reminds us & God before His throne).  By the way, the root source of our cooperation is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit — not us!  “It is God who is at work in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13; Col 1:27; 1 Th 5:24).  The apostle Paul described it this way: “I have been crucified with Christ – it is no longer I who lives – but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).   It is also important for us to remember that the more we cooperate with God, the greater will be our peace, joy and fruitfulness.  So, just as God’s promises to Israel were fulfilled because of the loving-kindness of the Lord… so also will His promises inner wherewithal and peace will be fulfilled in those of us who are His children.  

The following is a poem titled, “The Grieved Soul” by Joseph Hart (1712-1768), a British preacher who was converted under the ministry of George Whitefield — the poem is a dialogue between a believer and his own soul. It captures the essence of the typical heart of the child of God, in which the smallest discontent can produce angst in the soul.  We should carefully reflect upon the words.

Believer:  1. Come, my soul and let us try – For a little season,
Every burden to lay by – Come and let us reason.                                              
What is this that casts you down? – Who are those that grieve you?
Speak and let the worst be known – Speaking may relieve thee.

Soul:  2. O, I sink beneath the load – Of my nature’s evil!
Full of enmity to God – Captive by the devil!                                                  
Restless as the troubled seas – Feeble, faint and fearful;
Plagued with every sore disease – How can I be cheerful?

Believer:  3. Think on what thy Savior bore – In the gloomy garden.
Sweating blood at every pore – To procure thy pardon!                                          
See Him stretched upon the wood – Bleeding, grieving, crying,
Suffering all the wrath of God – Groaning, gasping, dying!

Soul:  4. This by faith I sometimes view – And those views relieve me;
But my sins return anew – These are they that grieve me.                                        
O, I’m leprous, stinking, foul – Quite throughout infected;
Have not I, if any soul, – Cause to be dejected?

Believer:  5. Think how loud thy dying Lord – Cried out, “It is finished!”
Treasure up that sacred word – Whole and undiminished;                            
Doubt not He will carry on – To its full perfection,
That good work He has begun – Why, then, this dejection?

Soul:  6. Faith when void of works is dead – This the Scriptures witness;
And what works have I to plead – Who am all unfitness?                                        
All my powers are depraved – Blind, perverse, and filthy;
If from death I’m fully saved – Why am I not healthy?

Believer:  7. Pore not on thyself too long – Lest it sing thee lower;
Look to Jesus, kind as strong – Mercy joined with power;                                  
Every work that Thou must do – Will thy gracious Savior
For thee work, and in thee too – Of His special favor.

Soul:  8. Jesus’ precious blood, once spilt – I depend on solely,
To release and clear my guilt – But I would be holy.

Believer:  He that bought thee on the cross – Can control thy nature;
Fully purge away thy dross; – Make thee a new creature.

Soul:  9. That He can I nothing doubt – Be it but His pleasure.

Believer:  Though it be not done throughout – May it not in measure?

Soul:  When that measure, far from great – Still shall seem decreasing?

Believer:  Faint not then, but pray and wait – Never, never ceasing.

Soul:  10. What when prayer meets no regard?    Believer:  Still repeat it often.
Soul:  But I feel myself so hard.    Believer:  Jesus will thee soften.
Soul:  But my enemies make head.    Believer:  Let them closer drive thee.
Soul:  But I’m cold, I’m dark, I’m dead.    Believer:  Jesus will revive thee.

The Testimony of David 

The psalmist David said in the 143rd Psalm — “Quicken me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake; for Your righteousness sake, bring my soul out of trouble” (Psa. 143:11).  As the 19th century pastor of London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle (where Charles Spurgeon later became pastor) James Smith (1802-1862) said, “The soul that has been once quickened, often feels its need of being quickened again.”  David often prayed for this blessing.  He knew what it was to be overwhelmed, and have his heart desolate within him; as such, he looked up and sought help from Heaven.  He cried with fervor… he pleaded with earnestness… he entreated for his life.  He sought deliverance from his foes… instruction in God’s ways… and a renewed sense of God’s loving-kindness.  David was in trouble… at times all of us are; and some far more than others.  Our faith is feeble… our unbelief is strong; we don’t seem to be able to grip the promise, nor appropriate it to ourselves… we look on it with longing eyes… but we cannot draw from it the comfort we need.  Obviously, Satan comes with his temptations in an effort to draw us from the Lord, and lead us to doubt and fear — if he can divert our minds from the glorious gospel, he can soon bring us into bondage, if not into open sin.  Then darkness spreads over our soul, and a chill and gloom seize our spirit… then we feel a deadness in reference to all that is holy… the Word of God fails to make a sweet impression or offer any refreshment… and the throne of grace loses all its attractions.  We try to pray, but the most we can do is sigh and groan.  Does the foregoing strike a chord in your own heart?