"This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:6)
In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me." (Psalm 120:1)
What a surprise to discover so many verses in the Bible about "crying out"! Were we to follow through in our daily lives and cry out to God whenever we needed Him, our trust and belief in a living God would never be in doubt!
I can cry out immediately in a given situation where there is "no other way to go", stand on the word of God, believe the truth, and actually see the results of God's action in delivering me!
I can hear someone testify and witness to what happened when he or she cried out in desperation and how the Lord made His presence known.
Both require belief and acknowledgement of the truth without always seeing the result right away.
I can read and believe God's description of the plight of the Hebrews in Egypt. "... the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage." (Exodus 2:23)
God loves our dependence upon Him! There is nothing that He desires more of us than to cling to and abide in Him. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)
Our cries bring that closeness He desires of us:
- Recognize the need for help, that you can't do it by yourself. "You do not have because you do not ask." (James 4:2)
- Approach the Lord of Life with humbleness and adoration in prayer. It's very hard to be humble. Practice it. The reward is a life of less stress. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6, 7)
- Give up your own way. Surrender your whole self to the One who created you, acknowledging your own weakness. This is the hardest of disciplines. Diminishing our self-centered, selfish life style allows our Lord to benefit us. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You..." (Psalm 84:5)
- Trust in Him. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5,6) "Blessed is the man who trusts in Him." (Psalm 34:8)
- Believe that your prayers of crying out are heard. "How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD." My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." (Psalm 84:1,2)
Have you been troubled lately, more than you can handle? Thank the Lord. He's got you where He wants you! Quit fussing and cry out to Him!