A Cry for Help…God’s Help

In my life I’ve heard a lot of sermons. There are a handful that stick in my mind. I can recall most of what was said. I remember where I was and I remember the incredible emotional or intellectual feelings of that sermon. One of those sermons for me is a sermon from Psalm 44. I was 27 years old, just starting out as a children’s pastor and I traveled to North Carolina for a conference and heard a man named Jack Hyles preach a sermon on Psalm 44. This psalm contains words asking God why God has turned His back on His people. It is a psalm that remembers the days when God did great things for His people but laments the present condition when God is either silent or He is against His people. The psalm sometimes speaks of God’s ability to redeem and deliver but then says things like, “but You have cast us off and put us to shame”. The part of the psalm that sticks out in my mind is the beginning: “We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old:” The writer is remembering the stories heard by the fire told by his grandfather of how God did mighty things for His people. But at the time of the writing, they are just stories. God’s activity is not to be found.

What resonated with me 25 years ago and what still resonates with me today is that I long to see God work in miraculous ways in the lives of people but most often He does not…or they do not allow it…or I don’t obey enough…I don’t know what the right answer is but I lament that I don’t see the activity of God as I desire. I wonder if you feel the same? I’m not really looking for God to part the Red Sea or to show up in a burning bush. I’m looking for God to save the sinner in a way that his/her life is visibly transformed. I’m looking for God to move in such a way that His activity is known and He is glorified in our nation. I’m looking for God to take away the persistent sin that lives in my heart. “I’ve heard with my ears, our fathers have told us the deeds you did in their days”. God, would you please do those same deeds today? As I type this I know; however, that the work begins with me. Am I a willing recipient of God’s correction and mercy? Am I a part of the solution or a part of the problem? This morning I’ve asked God to show me what I can do to be a part of seeing His activity as in the days of old. I ask you to consider having the same conversation with Him today.

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