“The chords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: Lord, save me!” (Psa. 116:3-4)

While the psalmist is likely crying out on the verge of actual death, the principle of calling on the name of the Lord during any difficulties in our life remains the same. When we are going through rough times, do we immediately call on the name of the Lord and ask for His help, or do we rather rely on our own wisdom and strength to try to push through?

The first thing we must do is ask. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer…” (1 Pet. 3:12) The Bible assures us that God hears the prayers of the righteous, and that we are to come to Him asking in confidence and faith and according to His will.

Sometimes the second part of the equation is what we miss out on though— God’s response or answer to our prayer. Reason being is because sometimes we don’t like the answer the Lord gives us. We may feel like His answer or what He’s asking us to do is too difficult, or it doesn’t meet our expectations, or it goes against our human thought process or personal desires.

We must search our own hearts when the Lord presents an answer to us that is challenging, because accepting that challenging answer in faith will put us directly in the center of His will. Looking to God through adversity takes faith and sole dependence on Him.

What struggles are you going through today? What is causing you distress and sorrow? Does it feel like anguish is coming over you because of it? THEN SEEK GOD FIRST. Don’t wait, try to solve it on your own, or look to others outside of God for answers. Go to Him in prayer, and pray fervently until He answers.

And WHEN He answers, even if the answer is difficult to accept, follow Him in faith and obedience. Remember that His wisdom is far beyond anything that we will ever be able to understand, learn, or know. And remember that He loves us more than we’ll ever be able to comprehend.

Call on the name of the Lord and cry out, “Lord, save me!” He is faithful to hear, and mighty to save!

[From November 13, 2018]