James Smith, 1860

"The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; he is their strength in the time of trouble." Psalm 37:39

"There is none righteous, no not one." That is, none are righteous naturally, or while under the law, and according to the law. The law requires us to be righteous — but it cannot make us so. Nor while there is the least defect in us, or the least fault chargeable upon us; can it pronounce us so. The gospel provides a righteousness for us, and presents a righteousness to us, and the moment we accept it, it pronounces us justified from all things. Our righteousness, as believers — is the perfect work of Christ as our Substitute; including all that he did, and all that he suffered; which being wrought for us, is imputed to us, and we are justified thereby. So that while no man is righteous by nature — many become so by grace; while no man is justified by the law — many are pronounced just by the gospel.

The righteous are said to need salvation. But a man legally righteous cannot need salvation, for he has done all the law required, and is in no danger. He has . . .
no debt which needs paying;
no disease which needs healing;
no sentence against him which needs reversing.

But those who are evangelically righteous, do need salvation . . .
from sin within them,
from Satan without them, and
from dangers around them.

And the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord. He who wrought their righteousness . . .
changes their natures,
carries on his work, and
will perfect it in the day of Christ.

Their salvation being of the Lord, it is certain, for he is in one mind, and always completes what he commences.

He saves them by himself.

He saves them for himself.

He saves them in himself.

The righteous may be in trouble. Not only may be — but shall be. The furnace is not more necessary for the ore, to purify it — than troubles are to the Christian, to exercise his graces, prove his principles, and form his character. "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows!" John 16:33. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous." Psalms 34:19

Yes, we must have our times of trouble — and we sink very deep sometimes. Our burdens at times appear to be too much for our strength. The road is so difficult — that we think we shall never reach the goal. Trouble follows trouble, as wave follows wave on the troubled seas; and as when the sea is troubled to its depths, its waters cast up mire and dirt, so it is with us. O the evil thoughts, the base suspicions, the vile feelings — we are sometimes the subjects of, in the time of trouble. God alone knows what we feel, what we suspect, and what we fear. "I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me!" Psalm 69:2. Ours are not imaginary troubles — but real ones, deep ones, and often long continued ones.

But the Lord is our strength in time of trouble. This we have proved, and this we shall prove unto the end. If the Lord had not been on our side — we would have been overcome. If the Lord had not been our strength — we would have fainted in the day of adversity. We are poor creatures to bear trouble, and if left to bear it alone, we would murmur, repine, rebel, and sink under the load. But the Lord being our strength — we submit, acquiesce, and persevere in the path.

Though the Lord is our strength, yet . . .
the weight of trouble will be felt;
our own weakness will be painfully experienced; and
strong cryings and earnest prayers must ascend to the throne.

Saved by the Lord — we daily feel our need of the Lord.

Righteous before God — we daily require to be strengthened by God.

Blessed, forever blessed be the Lord, that though the transgressors shall be destroyed together, and the end of the wicked shall be cut off, the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, he is their strength in the time of trouble.

My soul, are you one of God's righteous ones? Have you renounced forever all dependence on self, and your own righteousness; and have you cordially, and thankfully, embraced the righteousness presented to you in the everlasting gospel? Are you looking to the Lord to be your Savior, your daily Savior, your Savior for evermore? Do you realize your lack of divine strength to enable you to bear trouble, and are you expecting the Lord to be your strength in every time of trouble? Happy is the man who has the God of Jacob for his help, and whose hope is in the Lord. Such may appropriate to themselves with confidence, the precious promise, "Do not fear — for I am with you; do not be afraid — for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

And looking forward to the darkest path, the roughest road, the sorest trials, or the most difficult duties — they may say, "I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone."