Because We Believe, We Cry Out

Reading: Psalm 116:1-14 NLT

The Lord hears us, but we must first call upon his name. If we cry out to the Lord, he will hear our prayers and our pleas. He bends down to listen. God meets us where we are. No matter how low sin has dragged us down, the Lord will meet us in the midst of the darkness and lead us on. This passage also emphasizes characteristics of our God: kind, good and merciful. He shields us from the evil of this world, but we must have childlike faith. When we have childlike faith, we don't question or doubt, rather we wholeheartedly embrace the love God shows us and His truth. Our lives will bring many bumps in the road, but if only we cry out, God will keep us from stumbling off path. We do not cry out to the Lord searching and hoping for something to believe in. But because we believe in Him, we therefore cry out to Him. So what can we offer to a selfless and merciful God who sacrificed his life for our salvation? This scripture shows us 2 specific ways. One way to thank our God is by praising his name unashamedly. Different people have different preferences on how to praise. For some that could mean through prayer, studying the Bible, or worshiping through music. Praising God's name however we see fit pleases all of heaven. Another way to offer thanks is by living up to His word in the presence of all His people. This does not mean acting Christlike when surrounded by other Christians, in church, or around people you're comfortable with. This means even when it's not so easy. When people of this world test you, anger you, or mock you. God's people are the people of Earth so in the midst of whomever, you should be trying your hardest to live up to God's word and setting the proper example. By crying out to God, he will meet us where we are and relight the fire needed in us to live according to Him.