I have been often struck with the conduct of blind Bartimeus: when "many charged him to hold his peace, he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Mark 10:48. Why was this? Truly he had a deep sense of his loss of sight, and by faith he saw Jesus able to restore it. See the consequence of this importunate cry. Did the sun stand still at the word of Joshua? Behold, at the cry of Bartimeus the Lord and Creator of all the host of heaven stood still. Jesus knows the cry of his own Spirit; he will hear it, and help the soul that utters it; "His ears are open to our prayers." 1 Pet. 3:12.
Look at David's circumstances: was he now on the mount of joy, basking in the sunbeams of comfort? No, he is sighing out a doleful complaint in the vale of distress: "I mourn because of the voice of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked; my heart is sore pained within me, and the terrors of death are fallen upon me; tearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me." Psalm 55:3-5.
What is his resolution? Does he give up hope in his God? Does he flee his presence and seek for comfort in the world, from its vain pleasures, sensual delights, and from worldly men? No; "I will call upon God." Here is a lesson of instruction for us: the more fears, terrors, pains, and oppression beset us, the more should they impel us to call upon God; seek to no object but God for relief; remember that there is not one of them bait is by his appointment or permission; that they are calls from God to Us to call upon him; and that when they bring us to God his loving will is answered. He will not suffer his dear people to live at a distance from him without calling upon him; he loves their souls; he delights in their prayers; and his comforts delight them. Psalm 94:19. Can you say so?
Then you may confidently take up David's conclusion; "The Lord shall save me." Is not this too bold? Yes, if founded upon any thing in yourself as the cause why God should save you, it is daring presumption; but, from the Lord's absolute declarations, full and free promises given us in Christ, we are divinely warranted thus to conclude. O then take and prize the Lord's word as your blessed charter of salvation; plead before him; expect all salvation from him, even victory over all sin, deliverance from every trouble, the comfort of holiness here, and the joys of glory in eternity, "All are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's" 1 Cor. 3:23.
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