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See in text the words, "cast down," "disquieted"; three times are they repeated. And such is the frequent experience of good men. In considering this note —

I. How FAR THE DISCOURAGEMENTS OF SAINTS MAY REACH. They may reach —

1. To the refusing of the word of consolation brought to you — "My soul refuseth to be comforted."

2. To the consequent affliction and distress of the body (Psalm 102:4, 5, 6, 9; Jeremiah 20:7-9).

II. WHY DOES GOD PERMIT THIS? It is always for His people's good.

1. So only will men come to God. So long as they find fulness in creatures they will not come (1 Timothy 4:5; 1 Samuel 30:6).

2. To make us value peace and quietness of soul.

3. God, as a tender Father, would have all the love of His children, and so removes what intercepts that love, as our earthly comforts often do.

4. Our comforts are sent to bind us to God and to wean us from the world, but sometimes we need to be weaned from these weaners that we may grow up unto more perfection.

5. To prevent over-confidence: the soul grows wanton and secure under its comforts, and then these need to be withdrawn.

6. As a wise and honest chirurgion, though he desire his patient to be soon cured, yet if he see the plaister doth not lie right, he takes it off again: so doth Christ do if He see that the comforts of His people are not laid rightly. Hence a poor soul may ere long be much discouraged, though for the present full of comfort. He will, if he lay his comfort upon internal blessings and measure God's love by them.

III. BUT HOW CAN ALL THESE DISCOURAGEMENTS STAND WITH GRACE? Can a man be thus to and fro in his comfort in Christ and yet be holy? Yes, for though there be evil in this, yet there is grace withal. Though they be much cast down, they still mourn after God. They long for His presence. But let such cast-down ones take heed —

1. Not to forget God.

2. Not so to seek comfort that you lose it yet more: there is such a thing as more haste and worse speed. Some seek comfort in a use of reason, and try to argue themselves into comfort. Others give up their common duty and neglect their proper callings, thinking that in their distress here is nothing to be done but prayer. But thus they lay themselves open to yet more temptations.

3. Not so to strain after some outward comfort that you lose that which is inward. I read of Francis Spira that, having denied the truth in order to get a good estate for his wife and children, he could no longer bear the sight of them, his conscience being in such horror of what he had done. They had been his comforts before, but now to see them was to be filled with misery. What comfort had Judas in his thirty pieces of silver? God forbid that we should drink the blood of our own peace and comfort.

IV. REMEDIES FOR OUR DISCOURAGEMENTS.

1. DO now what you would if now you were to be justified.

2. Find out why God has left you: if for some sin, be humbled for if.

3. Read much in God's Word, and so fill your mind with thoughts of Christ and with the blessed promises of God.

4. When God restores comforts to you, take care to understand them: if you would be rid of Satan coming into your quarters, fall you upon his. Attack him and do him all the mischief you can: put your comforts into Christ's hand and use them for His.

(W. Bridge, M. A.)

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KJV: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

WEB: Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, the saving help of my countenance, and my God.