Articles
Answer Me When I Call
Answer Me When I Call
Psalms 4:1 "Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress: be gracious to me and hear my prayer" (NASB)
As we make our journey through this life with all of its trouble and strife, we desperately need the love, mercy and compassion of our God to surround us each step of the way. We are weak, frail human beings and as one of our grand old songs proclaims it so well: "I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord; no tender voice like thine can peace afford. I need thee; Every hour I need thee".
If there is one thing I know about life, it is that life is full of ups and downs. There are the times of joy, peace and comfort as well as those adverse conditions that beset us and often become a test of our faith. We can be doing everything right, enjoying life to the fullest when suddenly it happens, our world comes crashing down on our shoulders. In just a moment of time we can find our heart shattered into a thousand pieces and it hurts, it hurts. As a faithful child of God, we cry out for God to hear our call, be gracious and relieve us of our distress. Psalms 62:8 is a passage that should echo in our hearts: "Trust Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us".
Aren't you glad that our God is ever near and present (Psalms 34:8, 121:1-5, 145:18; Hebrews 4:13-16, 13:5-6). There is nothing that can separate us from his love which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:31-29). We are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Romans 8:37). Without God there is no hope but with him there is an anchor for our souls that will enable us to overcome anything that threatens us in this life. God will take care of us if we are faithful and true to him (Romans 8:31; Hebrews 6:19; Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalms 46:1; Psalms 55:22; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Philippians 4:19).
We must be careful not to let the problems of this life overshadow the many wonderful blessings our God has bestowed upon us. Hardly a day passes in my life without some problem occurring. But when night falls and I pillow my head in sleep there is a smile on my face because in my heart I know that God has abundantly blessed me. One of those great blessings is knowing that he is gracious to me and hears my prayer when I call out to him (Hebrews 4:16; Philippians 4:6-7). As I think about the gift of his Son, as I think about the church and the privilege I have of being part of his kingdom, then all the problems I face seem as nothing, What is true for me, I believe is or at least can be true for you also.
To God be the glory forever and ever!
Charles Hicks
