“The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.’” (Psalm 91:14–15 NLT)

 

An old sea captain who was quite vocal about his atheism was washed overboard one night during a storm. His men heard him crying out to God for help. After his rescue, someone said, “I thought you didn’t believe in God.”

He replied, “Well, if there isn’t a God, there ought to be for times like this.”

Some people must hit rock bottom before they will cry out to God. C. S. Lewis wrote, “The atheist too has his moments of shuddering misgiving, of an all but irresistible suspicion that old tales may after all be true.” Sometimes the hardships of life are the very things that bring us to God.

I remember a letter from someone who made a commitment to Christ at a Harvest Crusade. Her husband had a stroke, and she also was having problems with her mother. This woman became upset with God as all these things hit at once. Then her eight-year-old daughter heard about the Harvest Crusade and wanted to go. She wrote, “When the invitation was given, my daughter wanted to go forward, so I went with her. But little did I know that God was sending me down, too.” She went on to say, “After a few minutes, I fell on my knees, and I felt His love. I knew that He loves me and has forgiven me. You have saved my life, not only my soul.” That is a beautiful letter from someone who had hit rock bottom.

Some people recognize rock bottom immediately. They can tell that their situation is far beyond their ability to do anything about it. So, they cry out in desperation.

Other people refuse to surrender. Their pride won’t let them. They struggle and struggle, convinced that they can change their circumstances through sheer force of will. They want to claim credit for their own salvation, not realizing that they’re only prolonging their misery. Proverbs 29:23 says, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor” (NLT). And James 4:6–7 says, “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ So humble yourselves before God” (NLT). Once they let go of their pride, they discover something infinitely more valuable: God’s presence.

In Psalm 91:14–15, God says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them” (NLT).

In the midst of our storms, we need to cry out to Jesus.

 

Reflection question: What happened the last time you cried out to God in the midst of a storm in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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