In the Hour of Trial – Sermon in Song

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In the Hour of Trial – Sermon in Song

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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#83, Hymns for Worship
(#536 Sacred Selections)

 

Tonight, being the 5th Sunday, we want to examine another song we sing – In The Hour of Trial.  This song is one that is suitable in preparation for the Lord’s Supper, but it also suitable for general use as its primary message is about endurance in the face of difficulties.

This song was written in 1834, but not published until 1853 by James Montgomery.   The song we sing today has some variations, including the addition of vs. 3, and in our current hymnal, the omission of vs. 4.    The current tune was composed by Spencer Lane in 1875.

 

  1. 1 – Jesus plead for me
    1. In the hour of trial –
      1. A trial by definition would be a test – particularly a difficult test that tries our character and faith in one way or another. The hour of trial would be that time when trials are greatest.  Consider Revelation 3:10 and Sardis  – they would be kept from the coming “hour of trial”.
      2. As a pretext to this verse, let us consider the trial of Peter –
        1. Luke 22:31-34, where Jesus tells Peter that Satan was going to sift him as wheat. Jesus noted that He had prayed for him and when he returned, he would strengthen his brethren.  Of course, Peter denied that he would and Jesus declares he would deny Him 3 times before the rooster crowed.
        2. The trial is recorded in Luke 22:54-62 records the account of Peter denying Jesus 3 times – he was tried and in this instance he failed. OF note in this gospel (only), vs. 61 notes that after the 3rd denial, the rooster crowed and the Lord LOOKED at Peter and Peter then remembered the words of the Lord, went out and wept bitterly.
        3. Of course, we know Peter was restored. Likely, John 21:15-19 is part of that restoration as Jesus asks Peter 3 times, “Do you love Me” and Peter answers hesitantly.
      3. We all face trials in this life. It is a part of life and even more so, the life of a Christian.  Satan is our adversary seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8) and exploit us at our weakest point (2 Corinthians 2:11).
      4. What will we do in our “hour of trial”?
    2. Jesus plead for me –
      1. In the account with Peter, Jesus said, “I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:32).
      2. And in the original version of this song, the author wrote, “Jesus pray for me.” And if we understand the song as it relates to that account it would be appropriate.
      3. However, our current text is better as we sing this song. Jesus does plead for us – Hebrews 2:17-18, 7:25, Romans 8:34 1 John 2:1-2 – He intercedes (advocates) for us.
      4. Are we thankful that we have Jesus, who does understand and pleads our case?
    3. Lest by base denial I depart from Thee –
      1. Jesus was clear that we need to confess Him continually – Matthew 10:32-33.
      2. May we never deny Him – Hebrews 10:38 notes how the just must live by faith and not draw back.
      3. NOTE also the reminder that we CAN deny and depart from Him – again heed the warnings of Hebrew 2:1 – we must give the heed, lest we drift away.
    4. When Thou see’st me waver, with a look recall –
      1. This is a request of our Lord, that in whatever way He helps, as we are wavering we need His strength.
      2. Let us live our lives so that occasions, like the look of Peter at the Lord will cause us to return to Him.
      3. One way that we can do this is by continually studying God’s word. Often times, in our regular readings we are convicted and such can nudge us back on the right track.  Hebrews 4:12.
      4. Other things that can turn us back – examining ourselves honestly, our singing and assembling with our brethren. Have you ever had a sermon convict you?
    5. Nor for fear or favor, suffer me to fall –
      1. Matthew 16:26 tells us, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.
      2. The idea of “fear or favor” indicates that we let fear OR the course of this world, in one way or another cause us to fall. Galatians 5:4 speaks of falling from grace; 1 Corinthians 10:12 – let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall; Hebrews 4:11 – be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience; 2 Peter 3:17, You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
      3. In this let us not forget His promises – 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Peter 2:9
      4. Let us let the Lord keep us from falling away – NOTE: The word “suffer” as used here means to permit!
  2. 2 – Help me remember Calvary
    1. With forbidden pleasures would this vain world charm –
      1. We live in a world filled with temptations and lusts – we know that. The Bible warns against these various lusts – 1 John 2:15-17, etc.
    2. Or with sordid treasures spread to work me harm – things have a way of corrupting mankind, and they always have. The Bible continually warns against materialism.
      1. In the parable of the Sower, Jesus warned of the cares of this world choking out the word – Matthew 13:22.
      2. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 – those who desire to be rich fall into a snare and temptation
      3. Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us to not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth…
    3. Bring to my remembrance sad Gethsemane –
      1. Consider the intense suffering Jesus did in that garden. Luke 22:14 tells us His sweat became as great drops of blood and that He was in agony as He prayed.  What He endured there was REAL!  God sent an angel to comfort Him.
      2. It was in that garden that we find the resolve of Jesus to submit to the Father by enduring what came next. Let us NEVER forget that Jesus went through with this plan fully aware of what it would involve.
      3. Remember what Jesus gave up in coming to this world – Philippians 2:5-11
    4. Or in darker semblance, cross crowned Calvary –
      1. Let the cross indict us to obedience. We should think about the cross often
      2. I find it no accident that just prior to the garden Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper as a weekly memorial of His death on that cross.
      3. And a study of crucifixion shows how tortuous it really was. It was agonizing and designed not only to punish, but to do so with such severity it would deter.
      4. When I am tempted to sin, I need to think about the cross and everything Jesus endured. Galatians 6:14 – God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord…  Paul was glorying in the wooden crossbeams, but in what that means for us!
      5. There is a song in our new hymnals, “I’m the One” (#604) which provokes us to remember that when we sin, it s as if we are shouting crucify, driving the nails into His hands and feet, etc.
      6. Let us NEVER forget the cross – which we read about and sing about often.
  3. 3 – Help me cast my cares on Him
    1. Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil and woe, Or should pain attend me on my path below 
      1. We read about the chastening from the Lord in the Hebrews 12:5-11.
      2. NOTE the description, “thy mercy send me…” – God may test us, but not for evil. AND more often than not, it is about what He ALLOWS to happen (often by simply allowing nature to take its course).
      3. And as we just noted, His chastening can make us better. James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5.
      4. Furthermore, be reminded that in this life we are not promised a life free of troubles. When we face whatever comes our way in this life, we can say, “Why me?”, but when reality sets in will we honestly ask, “Why NOT me?”  What makes me so special that I should be exempt of what others have to go through.
      5. Consider also here, this is about “my path below” – we may suffer many things in this life – which just reminds us that this world is cursed because of our sins, and the workings of Satan. Do we REALLY want this to be our eternal destiny?   BE reminded that we have something better to look forward to – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
    2. Grant that I may never fail thy hand to see –
      1. If you read through the psalms, and all of scripture, we are reminded that even though Satan rules in this world with its many miseries of all sorts, he is NOT in control – God is! 1 John 4:4 – He is greater than he who is in the world; 5:4 – our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.   Matthew 6:33-34 in a text that calls for us to not worry, we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
      2. Not only is He in control, He knows what is happening and what you are enduring. In the end (maybe not in this life), He will make things right.
    3. Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee –
      1. Casting all your cares on Him – 1 Peter 5:6-7.
      2. As we live life as Christians, we must NEVER forget that we need Him. As Jesus said in john 15:5, “Without Me, you can do nothing.”  Philippians 2:12-13 calls for us to work out our won salvation with fear and trembling (our part), “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
      3. That is why our lives need to continually be filled with prayers – 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 5:18.

There is a 4th verse (which is in Sacred Selections) which says, When my last hour cometh, Fraught with strife and pain, When the dust returneth To the dust again;
On Thy truth relying, Through that mortal strife, Jesus, take me dying To eternal life.  This verse reminds us that when this life is over, if we have been faithful, we will spend eternity with Him and that ought to be our goal.

And thus we can are reminded of the message of this song.  In this world, we are going to face trials and troubles, but we have our Creator and Lord with us, IF we are in Him.  What about you?  Can you turn to Him in your hour of trial?  Think about it!

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