He Is There

“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20)

Hello, my friend…

Today I want to share a word of encouragement with you. As you have, no doubt, heard me say, I have been in the church practically since conception. I can’t say I have always served the Lord or recognized Him in my life, but I have always remained in the vicinity of the church and attended as often as I could. Today I want to echo the words of David in this Psalm. God is SO GOOD! He has always remained faithful to me – even in my disobedience and rebellion He watched over me. Obviously, I sacrificed many years of blessing and His favor because of my actions, yet He remained faithful over His Word that was breathed into me at a young age.

Throughout this entire Psalm, David tells the story of the Israelites and their wandering ways. He tells of their disobedience, of their rejection of Him, of their willful sinful ways. But He is also quick to point out that when they reached the bottom and cried out to Him, He was faithful and sure to pull them out, set their feet on the right path, and bless them as His children. This seems to be not just an Israeli problem, but a humanity problem. Ever since the Garden, man has sought to find His own way in the world and work out his own salvation (according to his own set of rules and standards, of course). I encourage you to read through the entirety of the Bible and see the wondrous works of God on behalf of all who call out to Him. Especially in the Old Testament, God was willing to save Gentiles who called out to Him. In the New Testament, Paul wrote in Romans 7 how we, as Gentiles, have been grafted into the vine (of Israel) and have become children of His through faith. This Psalm, then, tells our story. It is that story we are to share with others.

I have heard from several people these past few days how unworthy they see themselves. They don’t feel like they deserve any good thing in their lives because of the way they have lived. Here in America it is nearly impossible to NOT hear something about the love of Jesus, yet there are pockets of those who haven’t. We have the gospel being broadcast on television, radio, podcasts, the Internet, in person, tracts and leaflets, public open-air meetings – one would almost have to purposely choose to avoid hearing the good news. Yet they are out there – all around us. You and I probably know someone. They are seeking in the dark, fumbling their way through the only way they know how. If you open your heart and listen, you will hear them. Maybe not in the words they say, but (as my ex-wife used to say) in the WAY they say things. People are seeking now more than ever before. They are hurting. And we have the answer.

David wrote repeatedly in this Psalm that God brings (present tense) the people out of their distresses. It is important that we see that use of the word. God didn’t just bring them out in the past. He continues to bring them out – over and over. Sure, we are taught that once we confess a sin we are to turn from it and never do it again. I understand that – and it is true. In the perfect scenario, that would be very accurate. Yet how many times have you and I apologized to God for our wrongdoing, confessed that we know it is against His will and desire for us, walk away cleansed and whole, then find ourselves repeating the same offense? That is when you hear people say, “I just don’t deserve God’s forgiveness anymore. I just can’t get past this. I can’t quit doing it. Maybe I’m just too bad for Him to forgive me anymore.” I hear that all the time. Yet here we see the record of David as he tells how God (still) flies to the rescue of one who cries out to Him in their distress.

Obviously I am not condoning sin and presuming upon the grace and mercy of God. As Paul so eloquently wrote, “Shall we continue in sin that His grace may abound? God forbid!” BUT, I have to look at another scripture when Jesus told His disciples that if someone should offend them 70 X 7 in a DAY, they were expected to forgive that person. That’s 490 times per day! That’s 30 times per hour (given a 16 hour waking period per day). If God asks that of us and He is perfect forgiveness and grace, why would we get that idea that He isn’t willing to extend that grace to us? Sure, He does that in order that we might receive His forgiveness, learn His ways, and change. But He is willing to love us that much. How much, then, should we be willing to do the same for those around us? And, once we have received that much love and mercy, why wouldn’t we want to share it with those we meet who are hurting? We are to love with the love of Christ – as we have received, so should we give.

My friend, I don’t know where you are listening to me right now or reading this message. But I will tell you from the deepest part of my heart that God loves you and wants to rescue you. You might be in prison or jail right now. He is there and He is waiting for your call. You might be in the ICU of a hospital right now. I’ve been there, too, and I can tell you – He is there, standing right beside you, waiting for you to call out to Him. You may be standing beside a freshly-dug grave, preparing to bury a loved one. I guarantee you He is there, weeping with you and wanting to reach out to comfort you in this time of loss. Wherever you are, God is never more than a simple prayer away. I pray you hear my heart and feel the heart of the Father as I share this message of hope and encouragement with you. No matter what you’ve done, there’s still someone Who loves you more than anyone else. His Name is Jesus. Call out to Him now and allow Him to rescue you from your situation.

Be blessed.