“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” ( Psalm 34:17).
Crying, especially for adults, is not looked at favorably. Perhaps it is because it is associated with infant hood. Most men would not like to be pictured shedding a tear, even if they feel deep pain. For most putting up a show of brave face that hardly reveals any emotion, is what makes a total man.
When the Israelites started to accuse Moses of intending to harm them, “They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” ( Exodus 17:3). In that hour of anguish, “Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me” ( vv 4).
David was one man who often went to the Lord crying. Pursued by enemies, he cried, “Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me” ( Psalm 56:1-3). He was never ashamed to shed his tears before the Lord and adds, “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll are they not in your record?Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me” ( vv 8-9).
Like Moses and David, you too might find yourself with an upsetting situation. These giants of God were never hesitant to go out and cry out to the Lord. For David sang, “I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring” ( Psalm 77: 1-2). And may you do as well. The Lord will look down on your tears and bring due deliverance.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, when faced with sorrow and trials, I turn and cry out to you for deliverance, that I might taste of your victory, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
Related upcoming events
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27/04/2024 - 28/04/2024 All day“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1).
In the wildlife, a common feature is predatory animals chasing after less ferocious ones, which on a bad day become good dinner. Through the savannah plains of Africa the antelope tends to suffer that fate. After a long chase from a mighty lion, cheetah or leopard; antelopes that survive tend to retreat to a fresh water spot. There they gladly refresh their quench with streams of water.
King David, must have been more familiar with deer, as there are more common in the Northern Hemisphere. For us in the tropics we can substitute the deer with our antelope, commonly chased by predators. After a long chase, of course all pant for pints of water.
The significance of this metaphor is that whenever we encounter any situation that puts us on a chase, where do we run to! Habakuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God give my strength. He helps me run fast like deer. He leads me safely on the mountains” (Habakuk 3:19).
Two things of note here. The Lord can make us run as fast as the fastest antelope being chased by a predator to a well of safety. And of course, as we run, we have that the well of God to end up to and refresh ourselves! This is why David wrote, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today like the antelopes of the wildlife I run to you, to that well of life, which refreshes my soul, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
