DOUBLE EXTREMITY

"A present God is a present blessing." - Adam Clarke
"A lively sense of the divine presence is a mighty stay to the heart in times of distress." - Charles Spurgeon

"We always need the Divine help, but more especially when troubles and trials are at hand." - Adam Clarke
"The nearness of trouble is a weighty motive for divine help; this moves our heavenly Father's heart, and brings down His helping hand." - Charles Spurgeon

"It is God's honour to help when all other helps and succours fail." - Matthew Henry
"There is an awfulness about absolute friendlessness which is crushing to the human mind, for man was not made to be alone, and is like a dismembered limb when he has to endure heart-loneliness." - Charles Spurgeon

What would be considered a "Double Extremity" in your life? Wouldn't it be having the nearness of trouble with no helper in sight?

That is exactly how David felt when he penned the words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as found in Psalm 22:11 - "Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help."

Can there be a worse situation than this?

Perhaps you find yourself in this sort of predicament today - in a state of desperation before God. Your faith is pounding at mercy's door.

There is no doubt about it - "Trouble is near." Deep sorrow like waves may be coming into your soul (Psalm 69:1). You may feel like you are sinking in the "deep mire" of depression (Psalm 69:2). It seems as though Death itself is approaching. You feel as though you don't have a leg to stand on for there is "no standing." (Psalm 69:2). The "floods" are overflowing you (Psalm 69:2).

You are in trouble. Tribulation is very near. It almost feels as though it has moved in next door - that's how close it appears to be.

In order to make matters worse - you find that "there is none to help" (Psalm 22:11). Those who would have helped could not, and those who could have helped would not. You are left - like the Lord Jesus - to "tred the winepress" alone - to suffer evidently unhelped.

You can relate to what David expressed in Psalm 142:4 - "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."

How do you pray when found in a situation like this? This is Double Extremity. Things certainly can't get much worse than this.

This is what David said to the Lord - "Be not far from me..." In other words, be near me...don't withdraw from me...don't leave me nor forsake me...don't set Yourself at a distance from me... don't stand aloof from my sore...and don't be so far away from me.

As we examine the Scriptures, we find that this was a concern of David's. He mentioned it repeatedly in his prayers -

Psalm 10:1 says - "Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?"
Psalm 13:1 says - "How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD? forever? how long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?"
Psalm 35:22 says - "This Thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence, O LORD; be not far from me."
Psalm 38:21 says - "Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me."
Psalm 69:18 says - "Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies."
Psalm 71:12 says - "O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help."

We read about David as he was found in a Double Extremity - but what about you? Do you feel as though trouble is near and there is no help in sight?

Why not pray the simple prayer that he prayed to the Lord Almighty - "Be not far from me..."?

It may not seem to be very profound, but really, it doesn't need to be! God understands your predicament. And all you really need at this point is His Mighty and Awesome Presence. When you have that - you can be assured that everything is going to be all right.

"Be not far from me..."

"Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help."

You're not asking another man to come and stand alongside of you. You're calling upon God - the One Who has "all power... in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18) at His disposal. There can't be a more comforting thought than this!

Remember - "A present God is a present blessing."

Also never forget - "The nearness of trouble is a weighty motive for divine help; this moves our heavenly Father's heart, and brings down His helping hand."

Therefore, don't be afraid!
Only believe when you call on His name!

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved

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