Crying Out

 March 9, 2022

Four times in Psalm 107 we read, “They cried out to the LORD in their trouble” (vv 6, 13, 19, 28). With each occurrence of that phrase, the nature of the troubles changed, but the result remained constant: he “saved/delivered/brought them out of their distresses.” Three of the four times, this pattern repeats itself in the past tense, but the last occurrence is in the present tense, underscoring the reality that God’s deliverance is not merely a historical record, but a present reality if we cry out to him. 

That is a big “if.” How often I’ve failed the test because I neglected to cry out. I thought I could handle it, or was just plain stubborn in my sin, but when I cried out, God has never failed to deliver.

The circumstances change. In v. 5, “Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.” Ie. they were exhausted and terrified. In v. 12, “They fell down and there was none to help.” Ie. they failed. In v. 18, “They drew near to the gates of death.” They were physically sick due to their sin. In v. 27, “They are at their wits’ end,” facing problems they didn’t know how to solve. In each situation, when they cried out, they were helped. When we are weary and fearful, when we fail, when we are sick, when we don’t know which way to turn, when we cry out to the LORD, he listens and “brings [us] up out of our distress.”

So what is our response to such undeserved and amazing faithfulness? No matter what the specifics, the proper response to God’s deliverance ought to be that which was given so many years ago: “Oh that men would give thanks to the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” 

God is still in the deliverance business if we are willing to acknowledge our need and call out to him. And when he does, may we give thanks to him for his goodness, for his wonderful works to us.