Where to Go When Trouble Comes

Out of the depths, I cry to thee, O Lord. (Psalm 130:1)

Ps. 130, 42; James 1:5-8, 4:2-3

What Is God Saying?

The Book of Psalms is a book on prayer. It has all the elements: praise for God's goodness; confession of sin; the vision of God's splendor; joy, wonder, and thanksgiving over God's creation. In this psalm, we ask God to hear us. We read, "Lord, hear my voice! Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!" Such a request is not presumptuous. This is the psalmist crying out of the depths of their need.

How Does This Apply To Us?

The Psalms plumb the depths of human sin and failure. The Psalms soar to the heights of God's holiness and ultimate triumph. So, if we need to cry out from disappointment, failure, and weakness, we can. Our depths are not beyond His reach. Our needs are not too big for God to handle, nor too small for Him to be bothered. Out of the depths, we cry. Out of the heights, God hears. Out of the depths, we cry. From the depths, God lifts.

Pray With Me

Loving Father, I believe You can meet my most profound need. You can hear the wordless cry that rises from my heart. Neither the thunder of judgment nor the whisper of self-condemnation can keep it from Your hearing. I cry out of the depths of sin for "there is forgiveness with Thee." Out of the depths of despair, I wait for You, "more than they watch for the morning."

To the praise of Your glorious grace, which You have freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

Prayer is not only praise for God's blessings but also expressing our need for God's help. Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you." James is a good guide for this (James 1:5-8; 4:2-3). We ask in need and in faith that God can and will meet us.