The Lord Hears Your Cry

Most of us will find at least one verse in Psalm 107 which we can relate to. It’s a psalm filled with those heartfelt cries for help which we express in desperate situations and storms of life. The psalm mentions the Lord’s response to each cry.

What I find interesting is that each category in this psalm paints a picture of dire circumstances, but the outcome is the same. When they cry out to the Lord, He rescues them, saves them, heals them and provides for them, regardless of the cause of the circumstances. Some of them were in their situation because of rebellion and disobedience, but some suffered because of conditions they had found themselves in.

There can be a tendency to gravitate towards blame when trouble comes in life. We can blame ourselves, others or God for what has happened. Sometimes we suffer for our own choices, but sometimes it is just because of things happening outside of our control.

Even the disciples assumed that something bad happening to someone was due to sin in their lives or their family. And while sin can have consequences, Jesus was very clear in relation to the man born blind when addressing the disciples- “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3).

The fishermen in Psalm 107:23 hadn’t done anything wrong. They simply found themselves in a literal storm and cried out to the Lord who brought them out of distress, stilling the storm to a whisper. He didn’t leave them there, but guided them to their desired ‘safe place’. Maybe you need the storm-whisperer to speak into the tempest of your life today, bringing you into a safe, calm and secure place internally and externally. He can and He will.

Or maybe your battle is with the flesh where sin has got a grip and where the struggle is with disobedience. Psalm 107:10-22 brings hope to this particular group. When they cried out to the Lord in humility, He brought them out of darkness, and distress, and healed them. If you can relate to this, take hope! He’s only a prayer away when we humbly come before Him.

Or maybe you’re in a wilderness time, without purpose, unsettled and feeling you’re just surviving. Verses 4-9 are for you. ‘Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way.... to settle...then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress, He led them by a straight way, to (a place) they could settle.’ If this is you today, take heart, because the purpose-giver and life -giver is wanting to lead you on a straight path, out of distress, and into a place of belonging.