As I read the news account of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that rocked Ecuador in 2016, the exclamation of one young man stood out: “For God’s sake, help me find my family!”
“For God’s sake . . .”
Those words can certainly be used wrongly—taking the Lord’s name in vain. Yet, while I have no way of knowing if the young man has a relationship with God, it occurred to me that we so often invoke His name when calamity strikes. And since we’re made in His image (Genesis 1:27), to cry out for the sake of others can truly be for His sake.
The plaintive cry of the young man reminds me of an exclamation from the lips of Joel: “Lord, help us!” (Joel 1:19). Judah, the prophet’s nation, had been decimated by two natural disasters—an overwhelming swarm of locusts had eaten everything in their path and a drought had turned what remained to dust (Joel 1:6,12). The physical destruction—mirroring the nation’s spiritual condition—was devastating (Joel 1:14-15).
Joel, whose name means “the Lord (Yahweh) is God,” had been called to deliver God’s solemn message to the people of Judah (Joel 1:1-2). A two-pronged response was prescribed: Cry in grief and call out to God for relief.
These two reactions can lead to help and restoration when we confront pain. Perhaps someone close to us has taken her last breath. Or we’ve witnessed the ruthless slaughter of innocents. Or the disease has returned . . .
In genuine mourning and heartfelt prayer, we can draw close to God whose love “never ends.” But we may need to “lie face down in the dust” to once again find “hope at last” (Lamentations 3:22,29). For our sake, God meets us in our suffering and leads us through the fire and rubble to the joy that lies ahead.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Samuel 13:20-39
More:
Read Psalm 34:18 and think about how God meets us in our pain.
Next:
What have been your responses to particularly painful moments in life? How can your genuine grief and heartfelt prayer be used by God to bring hope and transformation to you?
jjw2855 on April 8, 2017 at 2:29 am
There is so much devastation around the world. Sometimes it is overwhelming. The mind goes numb with shock. In times like this we can only cry out “Lord, help us.” Thank God, as it is written in Psalm 61: 4, even in such situations we can take refuge in the shelter of our Lord’s wings.
For those who fear and love the Lord, He is our refuge, a strong tower against the foe. So let us not give up hope, but continue to hope in our mighty Lord and God. Let us continue to uphold each other in our prayers to our redeemer, who lives.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
Your mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning,
new every morning:
great is your faithfulness, O Lord,
great is your faithfulness!”
Tom Felten on April 8, 2017 at 10:34 am
jjw285, thanks so much sharing you thoughts and these Scripture-based lyrics. Having God’s loving presence and purposes in mind truly changes the way we view life’s challenges!
Gary Shultz on April 8, 2017 at 6:01 am
Hi Tom: Suffering will come, we have all experienced it if we have spent any time here on earth. Some seem to have much more than others. The scripture today is of the most initially ripping kinds suffering, the calamity we have caused by our own wrong. The repair seem much more straight forward to those willing to own the wrong they have done. What seems more haunting, is the suffering when we just don’t know why. As with Job, it really strains the soul. And yes, God in His providence has allowed these times of suffering. To awaken those in sin, and to draw close those who walk with Him. Could it be so simple that there are really only two types in suffering? Could it be the real secret is how we respond? Life often does not look that simple, and the punch of suffering cuts to the heart and soul, but God brings grace and hope. He patiently allows time to grow hope, until like a spring plant it breaks through and we see His goodness and provision. Thanks Tom
Tom Felten on April 8, 2017 at 10:39 am
Fascinating thoughts on suffering, Gary. And I think you’re onto something when you state, “Could it be the real secret is how we respond?” Over the years, it’s become clear to me that the way we respond to pain and crisis reflects where we’ve been in our relationship with God. One can’t expect to handle pain well when we don’t truly know the One who meets us in our pain and identifies with us. One beautiful part of a growing, intimate relationship with God is the peace and perspective He alone can bring when cold winds blow into our lives.
sandy229 on April 8, 2017 at 10:54 am
That’s so true Tom, I wonder how people who don’t know God and trust in Him get through situations like these? I think you and Gary are right, the secret is how we respond, and those who are lost don’t know how to respond, all they see is hopelessness and despair.
manofprayer55 on April 8, 2017 at 7:17 am
Thank you Jesus for seating me in Heavenly places with you and Father! The suffering is NOT the big picture. It wasn’t in Job’s life ad it isn’t in msn’s…
Tom Felten on April 8, 2017 at 10:41 am
manofprayer55, thank you for this heartfelt prayer. I’m reminded of what Job was able to utter in the midst of his intense suffering: “The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).
sandy229 on April 8, 2017 at 10:51 am
Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.
sandy229 on April 8, 2017 at 10:50 am
When I read about all the devastation, I thought of Syria, and how its ruined, nothing is left, and still their leader finds new ways to make them suffer. Only those who have God in their lives can get through something like this.
We know that God can give us hope when circumstances indicate there is none.
Hope in God, for you shall yet praise Him. Remember, He has promised to be present with you both day and night. Set your heart on the Lord, your refuge and shelter in every trouble. Cast, throw, fling your burdens on the Lord, Do not hold onto them yourself. God is able to take them and desires to carry your troubles for you. Recognize that everyone feels afraid at times. Faith can turn fear into trust. Each time you feel afraid, choose to trust in the Lord. Set your eyes on the Lord; He is greater than anything you fear.
Examples abound of faith in God in spite of circumstances. Though situations arise that seem overwhelming, hopeless, oppressive, and fearful, the Psalms point to God as our refuge.
Sometimes God gives us more than we can handle, but He promises to be with us and take us trough it, He will never leave us or forsake us.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9: Paul penned these words.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.”
Paul’s agonizing choice of words, “under great pressure,” “far beyond our ability to endure,” and “despairing even of life,” show us that the difficulties he and the other disciples experienced were well beyond their human ability to handle.
With God as our refuge and strength, we know that God will take us through anything we face.