Cry Out to the Lord

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17

There are many things in life that cause us to cry out to the Lord.  When we hear news that a family member or close friend has died.  When relationships fail.  When financial difficulties loom and anxiety is high.  When the diagnosis of a disease comes as a surprise.  When a loved one falls away from their relationship with the Lord.  These and many more situations all lead us, as Christians, to cry out to the Lord.

In the midst of all the struggles and difficulties that this world brings, we may not always feel that God is listening and answering our cries for help.  Well, if there is an expert on “crying out to the Lord”, it’s David.  David reminds us in Psalm 34 that when we cry out to God, we certainly are not wasting our breath!  God hears and answers prayer!  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit! 

As Christians we know full well that we are not somehow exempt from disappointments, temptations to sin, and other difficult experiences.  Yet, we have the marvelous promise that God is near to us and He indeed saves us!  Augustine writes, “A great mystery, Brethren.  God is above all:  you raise yourself, and touch Him not; you humble yourself, and He descends to you.”

May we remember each and every day the great blessing and privilege we have to pray to the Lord – knowing that He hears our cries and promises to answer with what He knows is the very best for us!

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

LSB #770