Creator, Father, King #327

The Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.

ALL SEEMED LOST.

David felt like he was going to die. Israel’s great king sensed the darkness closing in on all sides. So he expressed his anguish with vivid imagery in Psalm 69:

Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me. I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.

Over the last three days, we’ve been discussing trials. But there are varying degrees of trials. What David was describing in Psalm 69 is not garden-variety adversity. His experiences touched the depths of his soul.

Have you ever experienced a trial of this intensity? Here are some examples:

• a lengthy battle with poor health
• terminal illness in a friend
• prolonged, physical persecution for one’s faith
• the challenges of extended poverty
• a fire or natural disaster that destroys a home
• the death of a family member
• a broken home
• the horrors of abuse

What’s It Mean?

There are no easy answers for these kinds of devastating hardships, or others like them. If we’re not careful, our hearts can quickly turn from cries of “How long, O Lord?” to “Why are you doing this to me, God?” Do you see the subtle, yet sinister, shift from a prayer for help to an accusation against God’s righteous character? That’s why, in moments of despair, we must always turn to God’s Word to inform our thoughts.

Sadly, the aftereffects of the Fall—sin, sickness, suffering, and death—will eventually touch us all. But these things don’t alter God’s unchanging character. In fact, if we have eyes of faith, we’ll see how they reveal God’s holiness more powerfully.

In the midst of your darkest trials, never doubt God’s goodness, sovereignty, or his love for you. He loves his children immeasurably (Psalm 103:11). He “heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Remember David? Despite his dire circumstances, all was not lost! He knew God would be faithful. That’s why David wrote today’s verse: “The Lord hears the cries of the needy; he does not despise his imprisoned people.”

He will do the same for you.

Now What?

Cry out to the Lord in your time of need. He wants to hear from you.

Did You Know?

The Psalms are filled with cries of distress to God (e.g., Psalms 6, 7, 13, 18, 42, 77, 102, and 142).