“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto You, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:1-2
He, Who reigns on high, will hear us when we cry and bring us where we need to be.
“Hear my cry, O God.”
How simple the request: “Hear my cry.” The cry of a newborn baby, so vulnerable and needy. The cry of a frightened child, longing for the comforting, secure arms of his parent. The cry of a wounded animal, surrounded by ravenous, bloodthirsty predators.
Sometimes they’re loud, piercing the night while others sleep; other times they’re “muffled moans,” arising from the depths of a struggling soul.
But, our all-seeing God also has all-hearing ears. And, we need never wonder if He will “attend (Heb. ‘qashab’—‘to prick up the ears, hearken to, give heed to, incline toward, mark, regard, etc.’) unto our prayer.” Just as a mother readily recognizes the cry of her child in a crowded room so does the Heavenly Father hear the cry of His children.
Why, then, do we somehow think He will only hear us when we’re “prayed up” or feeling “spiritual”?
No, dear Pilgrim, wherever you are. . .whatever you’re going through right now. . .cry out to Him. . .and know He will “hear your cry and attend unto your prayer.”
Even if you feel like you’re at “the end of the earth”—about to drop off the edge into oblivion—“cry out unto Him.” During those times “when your heart is overwhelmed (Heb. ‘ataph’—‘to shroud, clothe, feel faint, feeble, cower down, swoon, to languish, etc.’),” cry out to the One with nail-scars in His Hands.
He will hear you. And, He will come to you.
And, as He does, He will ask you (as He did Bartimaeus that day), “What do you need from Me?” (Mk. 10:51).
Do not hesitate to cry, “O, my Lord, lead me to the Rock that is higher than high. I’m in a horrible pit right now, mired down in misery and despair. Please, please, O Merciful Master, lift me up from this miry clay and set my feet upon a Rock and direct me in the right Path” (Ps. 40:2).
The evil one will tempt you to doubt, weary one.
But, do not listen to his insidious lies.
Instead, cry out and keep on crying. It may be very dark right now and the hosts of hell may be hooting and howling, “No hope, no hope.” Yet, again, do not listen. . .for soon—there in your dark night of despair—the Savior will come to your aid. And, from those sinking sands He will pluck you up and hold you close in His arms.
So, cry out to Him, Pilgrim. Cry out and don’t stop. He’s near.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 27, 2010
