Find on Amazon

In the previous post, I shared the third chapter in my ebook entitled From Captive to Conqueror. In that chapter, we saw a struggler floundering hopelessly in stormy seas, unable to make it to safety. Sometimes we face situations in our own lives that feel hopeless, even when our feet are solidly on dry ground. Thankfully, we do not need to remain in a state of hopelessness. When we reach the point where we realize our own helplessness, there is only one thing to do. Cry out for help. That is what God is waiting for.

*********************

A Cry for Help

 In my distress I called to the LORD;

I called out to my God.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came to his ears.

(2 Samuel 22:7)

At the end of the last chapter we left the struggling sailor floundering about, trying to stay afloat in heavy seas.  Waves pound him mercilessly, crashing over his head.  The rigging of his boat has coiled around him making it nearly impossible to move, let alone swim.  What a picture of desperation!  What a scene of hopelessness!  We have probably all been there in one way or another at some point in our lives; perhaps even right now.

Consider for a moment.  What is God doing while all this is going on?  Let’s use a bit of “sanctified imagination”. 

Look.  There is God, seated in His holy temple in heaven watching the life and death drama being played out below as the struggler tries desperately to save himself.  The angels and those who have gone to heaven ahead of us - that “great cloud of witnesses”- are all standing around watching the scene. 

Listen.  One angel whispers to another, “Why does God just sit there?  Isn’t He going to help?” 

Another watcher says, “It’s obvious this poor struggler can’t hang on much longer.  What is God waiting for?”

Learn.  Hearing the whispered comments, God gently answers.  “As long as he is determined to struggle on his own, I’ll let him.  I am waiting for him to call out and ask Me for help.”

At long last, the struggler comes to the end of himself and acknowledges his helplessness.

In my distress I called to the LORD;

I called out to my God.

That was all God was waiting for.  The cry of a soul in distress who knows he cannot make it alone.  The cry of a humble heart that knows it has no strength or power to save itself.  That cry, however feeble, is heard in the temple of God.  No matter how weak the call, no matter how long it was in coming, that cry reaches the ears of Almighty God.  That is all that is needed. 

The struggler, whether he is David, or you, or me, does not need to bargain with God, or convince God that he is worth helping.  All he or she needs to do is to cry out.  God hears.  God is ready to answer.  God is ready to ACT!!!!

Questions for Reflection

When you use your imagination, what do you picture God doing when you are in distress?

In your journal, describe what you “see” when you Look, Listen and Learn.

How does it make you feel to know that he hears your cries for help?