I cried to the Lord for help. Have you ever done the same? The Scriptures are filled with stories of people crying out to the Lord, especially during difficult times. The story of the Israelites in Judges chapter four is a story of people who have found their problems are so large only the Lord can help. Their problems, like many of us, were self-created by their own sinful behavior. Our problems may be of our own making like we see in our story today or a situation we have no control over. In either case, we can find ourselves in a desperate place.
Our Problems Lead Us to Depend on the Lord for Help
When the Israelites drifted away from God, they made a mess of their nation. They had done evil in the sight of the Lord and suffered the consequences. Judges 4:1After Ehud’s death, the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. 2 So the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-haggoyim. 3 Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help. [1]
Like many of us, it took a long time for the Israelites to come to their senses and call out to the Lord. This demonstrated the hardness of their hearts. The Lord will often let us sit in our misery until we humble ourselves and cry out to him. It took twenty years for the people of Israel to finally humble themselves. Scripture gives insight into the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord.
2 Chronicles 7:14 “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.[2]
James 4:10“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” [3]
When the Israelites humbled themselves and cried out to the Lord, He heard their cries and delivered them from their enemies. They realized they were helpless and only the Lord could rescue them. Is the Lord calling you to humble yourself before Him today?
The Lord Hears Your Cries for Help
When you have a need, cry out to God. I know when I cried to the Lord for help, He answered! It is in sharing our needs and our suffering with God that we can find peace. God will hear our cry. He will respond when we humble ourselves and pray. The Lord knows when we are truly repentant as we seek His Face.
Over time, this process strengthens our relationship with God as we learn to trust Him more and more. God wants us to bring our troubles and concerns to Him so that our faith in Him will grow stronger. Are you crying out for help today over something in your life? The Lord hears your prayers and is always with you.
Prayer
God, thank You for hearing my cries for help. I’m bringing my troubles to You, and because You made me and know me, I am trusting you to meet my deepest needs. I am asking You to show me the path to take through difficulty and pain, so that I can know You more, and so that I can serve you more fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen. [4]
To hear more about crying out to the Lord, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-barak
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] https://www.touchinglives.org/devotionals/a-cry-for-help