Call On The Lord In Distress

-October 26, 2022-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.”

(Psalm 118:5).

Psalm is 118 is an anonymous psalm. The title is: “Praise to God for His Everlasting Mercy.” We all need God’s mercy each day of our lives, especially in our times of distress. The Psalmist uses the past tense, “I called on the Lord in distress.” We too, need to call on the Lord in our times of need. We can never call out to the Lord in prayer enough. Jonah cried out to the Lord in the belly of the great fish; Peter cried out while sinking in the Sea of Galilee; the disciples cried out to the Lord while in their boat hit by a huge storm; kings Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat cried out when under attack by huge armies.

The word distress is defined as, “Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.” We all go through distresses at one time or another. As a result we often feel stressed out, squeezed, and pressured. Life’s trials can leave us feeling helpless. It usually comes from things out of our control. We often feel greater distress when others we love are in distress.

I recently read a story in the devotional book entitled, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness, 365 Devotions From Our Daily Bread.” The title is, “You Can Always Pray.” A young mother came to missionary Gale Fields with a very sick daughter. Gale and her husband were serving as missionaries in Irian Jaya. Her husband Phil was actively translating the Bible into the tribal language of Orya. They also provided medical help whenever possible. Gale looked at the malaria-stricken child and realized she didn’t have the right medicine to help the infant. “I’m sorry,’ she told the mother, “I don’t have any medicine for babies this small.” She then paused and said, “I could pray for her though.” The mother responded, “Yes, anything to help my baby.”

Gale prayed but felt helpless. After a little while, the mother returned and Gale heard her shout “Gale, come quick and see my baby.” Fearing the worst she rushed to the baby and noticed an improvement. Her dangerous fever was gone. What an answer to prayer! We may not able to help someone but God can. We shouldn’t feel guilty “for just praying;” for there is power in prayer.

The Lord Jesus is the Great Physician who can heal even when medical science fails. He is the Great Healer.” Let us pray always, for others and for ourselves. The Lord promises “to set us in a broad place.” This indicates His provision and blessing in a large place and in a big way. No matter your distress, God will give you His peace and rest.

Have a blessed day calling on the Lord wherever you go, in whatever situation you are in. God’s mercy and grace will sustain and strengthen you. Stay safe and healthy.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Dean