Crying Out To God

Crying Out To God

1 SAMUEL 7:7-9

May 17, 2009 – Nursing Home service

When we face a crisis, the Lord is willingand able to help. But before He will become involved and release His divine energy into our situation, He requires one thing: a righteous heart.

Let me read you what the Bible says in 1 Samuel 7:7-9: Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him.

This, of course, is not an expectation that we live perfect lives, which our Father knows would be impossible. When a sinner turns to God for salvation, He cleanses the heart of iniquity and gives that person a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17). Yet even believers will follow old "flesh" patterns at times, so the Lord calls us to confess and repent when we miss the mark. Then He will "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Thankfully, He hears us in our imperfection as long as we desire to walk in His way. The problem arises, however, when a Christian knowingly lives in sin and chooses not to turn from it — the Lord will not hear an unrepentant heart.

The heavenly Father also desires that His children cry out to Him (Ps. 34:15-17). During trials, we tend to pray this way, with increased focus, passion, and sincerity. Hannah is a good example. Heartbroken over her barrenness, she went to the temple and beseeched the Lord with such emotion that the priest thought she was drunk! God answered her plea and opened her womb (1 Sam. 1:1-20).

When a crisis comes, cry out to our almighty God, but be sure you do so with a righteous heart. Then He will hear and answer — either fulfilling your hoped - for request or providing a different solution. Because He is omniscient, loving and sovereign, you can fully trust that His answer is in your best interest.

Let’s pray.