Commotio cordis, which normally leads to cardiac arrest, is caused by an abrupt and blunt hit to the chest. Often it occurs as an object strikes an individual near the heart during the “window of vulnerability”—a 10- to 30-millisecond moment between heartbeats. The medical condition, usually experienced by boys and young men as they play sports, often results in death.
During a vulnerable time in its history, Israel took a long-term hit to the heart by Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Exodus 2:23). Israel’s lengthy commotio cordis was obvious as the people groaned and cried out to God for help. This devastating blow to their collective heart left them lamenting and mired in physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. They couldn’t save themselves, and there were no defibrillators available to shock their heart back to normalcy.
Their only hope was God. He heard their deep sighs as they struggled beneath the oppressive weight of slavery (Exodus 2:24). And because He’s a God who keeps His promises, He brought to mind the agreement He had made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)—one that He renewed with Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:3-5, Genesis 28:13-15). He looked upon them with compassion, felt their anguish, acknowledged them, and provided a deliverer to rescue them (Exodus 2:25).
When we take a hit to the heart, experiencing the bitter loss of loved ones, financial reversal, broken marriages, or spiritual dryness, we can trust that our faithful Father hasn’t forgotten us. He hears our cries and sees our distress. God looks with compassion on the bruises in our hearts. He opens His ears to hear the groaning within our souls. And He stretches out His hand to heal and deliver us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 11:1-21
More:
Read Nehemiah 9:27-28. Why do you think it was important that the Israelites remembered this part of their history in prayer?
Next:
When you take a hit to the heart, how does it make you feel to know that God hears your cries for help? Knowing that God hears you, how can you face—rather than run from—your fears and problems today?
daisymarygoldr on April 26, 2015 at 7:18 am
The other day I was reading about Hagar being told by the angel to name her son Ishmael which means ‘God hears’. Later on as an outcast when she wept in the wilderness because she could not bear to see her son die, God heard their cries and provides.
Hagar figuratively represents the people in Jerusalem that live under the law (Galatians 4:24). Just as Hagar was oblivious to the well of water, blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Just as Hagar mourned over her son, the people of Jerusalem will one day mourn bitterly for their Messiah as for a firstborn son who has died (Zechariah 12:10).
On that day, God will hear their cries and will deliver them from trouble again— the way He always did in the past. God opened Hagar’s eyes to see the well of water that saved her son. He will likewise open the eyes of His people to see Jesus Christ, the source of salvation. Israel will be saved and with joy, they will “draw water from the wells of salvation”. Isaiah 12:3.
What God does for Israel He does for all people. God’s mercy is for everyone. King David said it best in his psalms: I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their burden. He shows compassion to all His creation and is close to all who call on Him in truth. He hears their cries for help and rescues them from all their troubles.
Winn Collier on April 27, 2015 at 12:01 pm
just this weekend I was at a large party and a friend who knew I had experienced some rough waters recently leaned over and whispered in my ear, “How’s your heart?” That simple question, the acknowledgement of where I’ve been and these words of presence with me, meant so much.