The Voice From On High

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:17–18 esv

Sometimes we don’t realize we are on the road to depression until we arrive. Suddenly we look around but see no familiar street signs or traffic lights. The scenery looks familiar, yet feels very different. Even the air is different—heavy and thick. It feels like someone is sitting on our chest. Or maybe depression feels like we’re suddenly trapped, as if we are at the bottom of a well, enclosed on all sides. It’s dark and tight, and as we reach for the walls to get some kind of bearing, we can’t find our way. We are broken.

Then we look up and see the opening at the top of that well. We see brightness, maybe the sun, maybe just the blueness of sky. We catch a whiff of clean air, some relief to our heaviness. Is it possible there is a way out? We whimper, “Help?” and wonder if anyone can hear. The answer is yes!

The Lord God who made the heavens and the earth—that bright expanse that caught our attention at the top of the well—heard our cry for help. His voice is that small, quiet whispering that says, “I’m here.” The sound captures our breath. We tear up, not out of sadness but out of relief. He heard us. He answered us. Our help is on the way.

Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.

Edward McKendree Bounds

Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.

Max Lucado

If you believe in prayer at all, expect God to hear you. If you do not expect, you will not have. God will not hear you unless you believe he will hear you; but if you believe he will, he will be as good as your faith.

Charles Spurgeon

For Further Reflection

Hebrews 11:6; 1 John 5:14; Psalm 145:18–19

Today’s Prayer

Lord, I have nothing. I am empty. Will you help me? Your Word says yes. Give me the faith to cry out to you, knowing that you hear me and will answer. Amen