Cry Out to God (Psalm 31:9-13)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:9-13

Psalm 31 is credited to David, and today’s verses resonate with his pain and suffering. His cries for help aren’t unusual; many of his psalms are similar. However, unlike others of David’s psalms, he knows that his suffering is a result of his own sin.

You’re probably familiar with David’s story. Shepherd becomes giant-killer. Soldier becomes king. He is blessed. He is a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).

Yet, he is also human, and he falls. He lusts after Bathsheba and commits adultery with her. He arranges for the death of her husband.

Sin indeed.

As a result of his sin, he loses a child. He faces hostile enemies. Trouble abounds.

And so he cries for mercy. He calls out to the One whose love abounds …

You may be facing suffering or pain or trouble as a result of your sin. But you can also cry out to God for mercy. He will forgive; He will offer grace.

That’s not to say your trouble will cease. There may still be consequences. However, you can know God’s mercy and strength even if the pain continues.

Just cry out to Him.

Lord, Have Mercy! (Psalm 30:6-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 30:6-10

Many, many times, I have echoed the words of one of today's verses: "Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!"

I've written over the last few days of how I'd love to be healed of my earthly afflictions. I would love to have no pain. I would love to have energy. I would love not to be so very, very weary.

Yet, at least for now, God's answer to my prayer for healing is, "Trust Me, my child. Rely on Me for your daily strength." Many mornings, I wake up and ask Jesus to hold my hand more tightly, giving me just enough strength for that day. (Chronic health issues do certainly make a person live just one day at a time!)

I do cry out for God's mercy and help, and He answers that prayer ... every time.

I'm sure I've written this before, but it bears repeating: God always, always answers our prayers when we pray for His will and purpose. In my case, His purpose seems to include my poor health. Yet, even on the most difficult days, I know I can cry out for His mercy and help, and He will answer that prayer ... with a resounding, "Yes!"

O Lord, Rescue My Soul (Psalm 6:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 6:4-5

Many of the most touching, convicting, or poignant psalms are those that are cries from the heart. Wednesday, as we began meditating on Psalm 6, we cried out along with the psalmist.

Today's verses contain both a cry for deliverance and an heartfelt plea.

We only have one life to live—and our time on earth is so very brief. As I've written a few times over the last few days, this world continues to grow ever-darker. It's difficult to imagine it getting any worse ... and then it does.

I don't know about you, but I am longing for Christ's return with everything in me. Without the hope of His return (or my leaving this earth to be with Him), I would have no hope. None at all. And so, I cry the words, "Return, O Lord, deliver me!"

Then we read that "heartfelt plea" in verse five: "... in death, there is no remembrance of You ..." I have to admit that, at first, I didn't quite get this. I believe that everyone, whether in heaven or hell, will remember God. So, I referenced one of my favorite commentaries. Although the language is older, the truth is clear. Matthew Henry writes:

Lord, if thou deliver me and comfort me, I will not only give thee thanks for my deliverance, and stir up others to join with me in these thanksgivings, but I will spend the new life thou shalt entrust me with in thy service and to thy glory, and all the remainder of my days I will preserve a grateful remembrance of thy favours to me, and be quickened thereby in all instances of service to thee but, if I die, I shall be cut short of that opportunity of honouring thee and doing good to others ... (emphasis mine)

I completely agree that, once I leave this earth, my ability to reach others for Christ is gone. I cannot influence or encourage others to know my precious Savior.

My heart is burdened for those who are seeking fulfillment in the world. With enough "stuff," they think they can find hope and peace and joy. They reject the God of the Bible and figure they'll find their own way to heaven—if they even believe in heaven. They will never know the joy of a relationship with Christ on earth.

Although I long for Christ's return and truly believe that "to die is gain" (see Philippians 1:21), as long as I'm living, I can "remember" God and share His truth with others.

A Cry for God's Grace (Psalm 6:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 6:1-3

Some psalms offer comfort and peace, and others, like today's verses, well ... not so much. However, these verses are often true for me ... and perhaps for you as well.

One of the many things I love about the psalms is their sometimes raw honesty. The psalmists never hesitated to bare their hearts to God. It gives me the confidence that I can cry out to Him when I'm suffering or in pain.

You can too.

Are you feeling weak and incapable? Cry out for His mercy.

Are you in pain or dealing with physical issues? Cry out for His healing (and if, as in my case, the answer for healing appears to be "no," cry out for peace and comfort in the pain).

Are you confused and unsure? Don't be afraid to share with Him how "troubled" your soul is.

Are you wondering if your current storm will ever end? Ask Him "How long?"

God may not answer your prayer for healing today. He may not reveal to you exactly what His plan is for the foreseeable future. He may not tell you exactly why things are happening the way they are.

But one thing I do know: If you cry out to Him, He will hear you. He will give you peace even in times of pain and uncertainty. He will offer you grace and mercy. He will walk beside you through dark valleys—and carry you when the road gets especially rough.

Cry out to Him. Then feel His arms of love around you. He's there ... if you only cry out to Him.

Does God Hear Me? (Psalm 28:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 28:1-2

I know I've written about this before, but I love the fact that God listens to me when I call. He hears my cries and revels in my praises.

There are times, though, when I feel His silence. He doesn't seem to be answering ... perhaps He isn't even hearing me.

Whenever I have these thoughts, I shut them down right away (sometimes, it may take a moment or two while I have a private pity party!). Why? It's because I really to have confidence that He hears my cries, just as He heard David's cry.

Every time David prayed, whether in joy or in anguish, He was certain his God was listening. I can have that same certainty, and so can you.

Just because God seems silent doesn't mean that He is. He may be waiting quietly for us to acknowledge His presence. He may be waiting for His timing. He may be asking us to be patient and just trust Him.

No matter the reason, we need to always come to His throne with our cries and praises.

He will answer ... in His time and according to His purpose.

Cry Out to God (Psalm 138:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 138:3

How often do you cry out? Because of the pain? Because of a broken relationship? Because of financial devastation? Because of the loss of a loved one?

Some of us cry out every day ... perhaps every minute. We cry out for reasons. We cry out for answers. We cry out in confusion.

And when we're all cried out, we sit quietly. Waiting. Wondering.

Is God even listening? Does He hear our cries? Does He even care?

In our darkest moments when we feel alone and tired, we can be sure of one thing: He is listening. He does hear our cries.

And He does answer. According to His will and in His time, He does answer.

When we believe—when we really, truly believe—that truth, we can be confident that He'll give us what we need for that moment, He'll comfort us, He'll provide for us, He'll protect us.

He'll make us "bold with strength in [our] souls."

Never be afraid to cry out to God, to bare your soul. He can take it. He'll listen with all-encompassing love. He'll hear your cries ... and He'll answer.

Seek His Face (Psalm 27:6-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 27:6-10

It's a mystery.

The Almighty God, creator of the universe, wants to reveal Himself to me. To flawed, sinful, rebellious me ...

Just astounding.

I don't believe in living in regret. Once I recommitted myself to the Lord and asked for His forgiveness for my willfulness and sin, He forgave me. He cleansed me completely. So, I can't wallow in guilt.

There are still times, however, when I look back at what I was, how I purposefully turned my back on God, believing He didn't really love me. I think about the choices I made, the paths I chose.

It's during those times when I humbly come to God in complete gratitude for His love and grace ... and then I marvel that I can come to Him. I can call out to Him. I can lift my voice in praise. I can trust in His protection and provision.

All because He loves me enough to allow me to seek His face.

The face of Almighty God.

Distractions ... (Psalm 40:16-17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 40:16-17

Praising God, rejoicing in Him ... one of my favorite things to do. And yet, I do often neglect to do so. It's not because I love Him any less; it's just that I get so caught up in "stuff." I was especially convicted of this very thing this morning.

A while ago, my small group went through Francis Chan's Crazy Love, and one of the study questions asked me to "List the elements in [my] life that keep [me] distracted [from God]. List both good things and bad things." As I went through this exercise, I recognized (not that I didn't already know this) that my distractions stem from pain.

Anyone who suffers from chronic pain or ill health understands what I mean about its being a distraction. When you're hurting, often your focus is solely on "what can I do to manage this pain?" Pain can easily cause a loss of focus. So, when I'm trying to just function, just get done what needs to be done, I can lose sight of God's work in my life. I fail to fall at His feet in praise and worship.

Yet, the irony is that when I feel the worse is when I need to cling to Him the most. I need to cry out in my neediness, knowing that He is my "help and my deliverer."

I can rejoice in Him. I can magnify His name. And, in fact, if I keep my focus on Him, those things that distract me lose their hold.

Lord, Help Me! (Psalm 40:13-15)

Today's scripture: Psalm 40:13-15

I'm focusing on verse 13 today. Verses 14 and 15 deal with those who were "seek[ing] to destroy [the psalmist's] life," which is something that most of us don't experience. However, we have cried out for deliverance. From pain. From trials. From failing relationships. From financial difficulties.

We often need God's deliverance, and as The Message paraphrases, His "intervention."

While I don't feel attacked by human enemies or those "who wish me evil," I do know I'm in a battle. I know the enemy of my soul wants to drag me down and doubt God's love for me. Chronic pain can do that. It can make me want to give up. My health has fallen to a new "normal." This new plateau has brought a higher level of chronic fatigue and pain. More than once, I have cried out.

I have echoed the New Living Translation's interpretation, "Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me." On those days when I feel alone, I may use words closer to the Contemporary English Version's, "Please show that you care and come to my rescue. Hurry and help me!"

Although God doesn't remove the pain, He does remind me of His loving presence. He does give me enough strength to accomplish what I need to ... if just for that moment or that day. He does "show that [He] care[s] ..." He does help me.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by life, then cry out to God. Cry for His rescue, for His strength, for His help. He will hear you, and He will answer.