2 Samuel 15:23

With all of the people in the territory crying loudly, everybody passed over the Kidron brook, along with the king. Then everyone headed out toward the road that leads to the wilderness.

David passed that gloomy brook when fleeing, with his mourning company, from his traitor son. The man after God's own heart was not exempt from trouble, no, his life was full of it. He was both the Lord's Anointed and the Lord's Afflicted. So, why should we expect to escape all trouble? At sorrow's gates the noblest of our race have waited with ashes on their heads. Therefore, should we complain about trouble as though some strange thing has happened to us?

The King of kings himself was not favoured with a cheerful or royal road. He passed over the filthy ditch of Kidron, which the filth of Jerusalem flowed through. God had one Son without sin, but not a single child without trouble. It is a great joy to believe that Jesus has been tempted in all points like as we are. What is our Kidron this morning? Is it a faithless friend, a sad bereavement, a slanderous reproach, a dark foreboding? The King Jesus has passed over all these. Is it bodily pain, poverty, persecution, or contempt? Over each of these trials, Jesus has gone before us. "In all our afflictions he was afflicted." The idea of strangeness that we have trials must be banished at once and forever. He who is the Head of all saints, knows by experience the grief which we think so unique to us. All the citizens of Zion must be free of the Honourable Company of Mourners, of which the Prince Immanuel is Head and Captain.

Notwithstanding the abasement of David, he returned in triumph to his city, and David's Lord - Jesus, arose victorious from the grave. Let us be of good courage, for we also shall win the day. Now, for a season, we have to pass by the noxious streams of sin and sorrow. But, soon we shall draw water out of the wells of salvation with joy. Courage, soldiers of the Cross, King David triumphed after going over Kidron, the Lord Jesus triumphed over the grave and so shall you.