The Two-Word Prayer
I am glad to have more energy today than yesterday. I commented to a fellow Rotarian, I’m way to young to have “good days and bad days.” This afternoon I am at Timberline Church for a couple of hours as the “Pastor on call.” This evening I have the opportunity to share my West Nile Story at a Fort Collins Rotary Club.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.” Psalm 107:13 NLT
We can observe in scripture and in our own lives, the Lord is available, gracious and responsive to our needs. This verse above occurs four times in this psalm. It arrested my attention because I can recall many times in my life when my simple prayer was, “help, Lord!”
That simple prayer reveals  a cry of desperation. This is not a “meal-time” prayer. This is a prayer for one who is “going down for the third time.” Far too often, we wait far to long before we turn to the Lord for help. But even then, the Lord does not forsake; He hears and He responds.
The condition that brings this cry is desperate. God’s people were in distress our trouble for a variety of reasons. The first occurrence describes this condition, “Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and  homeless.  Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.” (Psalm 107:4,5 NLT)
Next we see desperation because, “They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them.” (Psalm 107:11,12 NLT)
Next we see trouble because of the consequences of sin. “Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins. They couldn’t stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on death’s door.” (Psalm 107:17,18 NLT)
Then we see trouble on the seas as they were “plying their trade.” “Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end.” (Psalm 107:26,27 NLT)
In each situation God rescues from desperate circumstances. It wasn’t two out of four times, or three out of four times, each time they cried, the Lord rescued. Whether the trouble was due to circumstances beyond their control or due to their own rebellion and failures. Regardless of the source of the trouble; whether you are a “victim” of circumstances or created the circumstances for your trouble, if you cry to the Lord for help, He will rescue.
Consider the Lord’s response in each circumstance: “He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live….He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains…He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death…He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.” (Psalm 107:7,14,20,29 NLT)
The first and last verses of this psalm are filled with powerful meaning. The first gives this admonition, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!…” (Psalm 107:1,2 NLT) The Lord is good, even when we are not good and our circumstances are not good. He is faithful in His love. The question of the psalmist is an important one to asked yourself. “Has the Lord redeemed you?” Then say something! Say something to God in praise and to others in witness.
In the final verse we read, “Those who are wise will take all this to heart;Â they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.” (Psalm 107:43 NLT) As you review your life and take to heart the Lord’s intervention and deliverance, you will be able to see in your history the “faithful love of the Lord.”
Prayer for today…Â Lord thank You that you hear our cry in the desperation of our circumstances. Regardless of what they are and the reason they have occurred. We stand in awe of Your faithful love. Help us to reflect on our own history so we can see how you saved us in our distress.