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17th March 2025
MondayReflection
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"Jonathan Brooks"
Jonathan's passion is to lead the church to
make disciples
"He Always Hears Our Cries:
Psalm 34:17-18"
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"The righteous call to the Lord, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope."
.... Psalm 34:17-18
One of the worst feelings in the world is to be hurt and have no one nearby to help.
Seventeen years ago, while hiking, Aron Ralston's arm became stuck under a half-ton boulder for 6 days with little food and water.
For six long days it didn't matter how loud he called out, there was no one near enough to hear his cries (eventually, he courageously used a pocket knife to amputate his own arm to free himself).
I can't imagine how lonely and helpless he must have felt.
Yet, for Christians, Psalm 34:17 tells us that God always hears the cries of the righteous.
No matter where we are or what circumstances we may find ourselves in, he will hear us when we cry out.
We will never know what it's like to cry out with none to hear.
God always hears the cries of his children.
The example of Aron Ralston, however, also presents another dilemma.
Does Psalm 34:17-18 mean that every time we face danger or threat of death that God will rescue us when we cry out?
In what way will God deliver us out of all our troubles?
It's important to remember that the Bible is ultimately concerned about eternal things.
There are temporary troubles and there are eternal troubles.
It is not cliche or trite to say that God may choose to deliver us out of a dangerous situation by ushering us into his eternal arms.
Some may feel like that's not deliverance at all.
But, the Bible would say it's the greatest deliverance any of us could ever ask for.
The greatest help and deliverance has been given us in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
For all who place their faith in him, God has promised that he will never let our faith fail.
He will keep us to the last day so that when we face death, we enter into another life.
Therefore, we can take great comfort that he will never leave us or forsake us.
He is always nearby, ready to give us strength and to sustain our faith.
When we are broken-hearted, he hears our cry and stands with us.
When we are crushed and feel overwhelmed, he is there to hold us up.
He's ready to listen as you cry out to him, pleading for his help and for his deliverance.
That deliverance may not always come the way we expect, but it will always be for our good (Rom. 8 v 28).
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
"Pastor Jonathan Brooks"
joined the work at Refuge Church in July of 2018 and continues as lead pastor of Christ Fellowship Leesville.
He has been in ministry for over 20 years, serving in various roles including lead pastor.
He graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003, receiving an MDiv w/ Biblical Languages.
Jonathan's passion is to lead the church to make disciples, both through evangelism and intentional discipleship.
His prayer is that the church is used by God to keep our eyes fixed on Christ for the glory of His name.
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