Trusting God in Affliction
W. Birch. Isaiah 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear… A coloured preacher was in the habit of exhorting his people when they were in affliction to "Truss de Lord." When they were in sore distress, he had only one remedy, "Brudder, truss de Lord!" One day, however, while the old parson was crossing a river, the boat upset, and being unable to swim, he made a great splutter and screamed like a madman. After much trouble, he was got out and brought safely to the river bank, when one of his congregation said, "Masea Preacher, why didn't you truss de Lord; why did you holler and scream when you were in de river; why didn't you truss de Lord, and be patient?" The dark minister exclaimed, "Ah, you know, brudder, It is truss de Lord on de land, not on de water." Of course, anybody can trust in the Lord when they are on the land of peace and comfort; but it needs Christian faith and fortitude to be contented in the waters of affliction. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, WEB: It will happen in the day that Yahweh will give you rest from your sorrow, from your trouble, and from the hard service in which you were made to serve,