Call On Jesus

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.

(Psalm 120:1)

Meditation

I have been brought low many times in my life. It was always of my own doing. I was only reaping what I sowed. I was looking for other people to make me happy, not realizing I am the one responsible for my own happiness. I was usually secretly seething and distrustful of the motives of a partner, as a relationship developed. I kept making the same mistakes with only slight variations and soon I would find myself in anguish. Of course, I would immediately blame the other person for everything. I quickly developed the attitude that I didn’t care if I hurt someone, because they were eventually going to hurt me. I thought I was putting up a good front at making everyone think I was okay with the way my life was going. God saw through all of that.

In the midst of my suffering, I was invited to attend a crusade. I went, hoping to appease someone, but I definitely didn’t really want to go. At the time, I was a confirmed atheist and thought I had all the answers. As the man on stage was speaking, the Holy Spirit took hold of my heart. It was as if God himself was speaking right to me and I cried out for him to save me. I cannot even begin to tell you what a feeling of freedom I felt on that night and everyday since then. The burdens of my sinfulness were lifted off my shoulders and I was given a new life and a new purpose. The reasons for my suffering were all still there, but I suddenly had the Lord to comfort me in my distress.

That was over twenty years ago. Since then, I have not been distress-free, but that’s when I want to reach out to Jesus. He doesn’t speak audible words into my ear. He gives me my answers through his scriptures or in the words of a sermon or a song on the radio. My progress has been slow at times, and there have been more than a few backwards steps, but Jesus forgives me. His is the only name in heaven and earth that we can call on to be saved. He doesn’t care what we’ve done. He just wants to pull us out of this life of sin and death and give us a hope for eternity. He wants to be there right by our side when troubles and sorrows attend us. He wants to be the one we rely on. He wants to take our fears away and replace them with a confident hope. Only Jesus can do that! If you haven’t yet, call on him today, give your life to him and he will give you back so much more! 

Daily Prayer

Our good and gracious Father, your name is our shield and fortress. You are the bright light in our world of darkness. You are the one we turn to when our lives are filled with trouble and distress. We thank you, Lord, for our salvation, and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide us. Father when anguish comes, and we know it will, remind us to hand it over to you. Don’t let us stubbornly try to wade through our predicaments on our own. You tell us over and over in scripture to come to you when life starts to weigh on us. You take our problems on your shoulders when we turn to you. Help us, with a nudge from the Spirit, to come to you. Also, help us to wait patiently for you to answer us when we call on you. Remind us your timing is perfect and you will always answer. When we’re facing an impenetrable barrier of doubt and worry, Lord, stay with us as we climb to the other side with your help. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!