Psalms 42:8
Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
The verse speaks for one who is overwhelmed and sorrowful, afflicted and exhausted, in tears and discouragement, feeling friendless and forsaken and filled with awe at trouble. It is for one tempted to look on the dark side and to think and talk unbelief while enemies reproach, when deep calls to deep and waves and billows go over. It also meets disappointment, confusion and bewilderment, including after 1844. Yet the Lord commands His lovingkindness in the daytime and gives His song in the night, while the sufferer continues in prayer to the God of life. He is the source of life and sustaining mercy, and the source of comfort and delight by day and night even in distress, so that overwhelming distress does not cut off His provision.
It calls the cast-down soul not to distrust God but to have faith and confidence, calm trust, good courage and hope in God. It bids the soul wait on the Lord while He strengthens the heart, and yet to praise Him for the help and health that His presence gives. Those who trust Him can sing of His mercies even in hardship. Affliction does not mean He has forgotten His people, for it is apportioned with care to purify and not to destroy them. Troubles are to be taken to the Lord rather than to human beings, for the Saviour is a present help in every time of need who never disappoints one who comes for help.
It is the privilege of every Christian to know Jesus in this way as burden-bearer, called upon in affliction as hope and salvation. His cheering presence brings delight and renewed strength, showing that feeling forsaken is not the whole truth. After the disappointment and confusion following 1844, those who trust Him were not forsaken and left in darkness, for He remains faithful and continues His lovingkindness by day and His song by night. As truth is restored they can again rejoice and praise Him.
In His providence He will clear away the rubbish of error and reveal the jewels of truth, which many will gladly receive. Then those whose harps hung tuneless will take them down to give sweet music again. They will discover the lost links in the chain of truth and see a beautiful harmony in the whole, with a fresh experience and assurance that He whom they trusted remains with them.