This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Stormproof – Hurricanes of Hurt (CLICK HERE)
When we are hurting inside, we often suffer in silence. Especially if your personality is one that tends to be an internal processor. As one person put it, we can often take our hurts and treat them like a trash compactor. A hurt goes in…we smash it down. Another hurt goes in…we smash it down…until we can’t anymore.
As we suffer in silence, the burden becomes heavier and the hopelessness becomes greater. We may generate the narrative that no one cares and that really we might be the cause of hurt and want to end our lives. (Suicide is a permanent fix to a temporary problem. To be sure, if you are having suicidal thoughts…please seek help!)
So where do we turn before it gets too late?
The psalmist says this: “In your hurt, cry out to the Lord!”
Psalm 130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
When it seems like no one will listen, the LORD will.
When it seems like no one cares, the Lord does.
Did you notice the first reference to LORD is all capital letters? This name for God is the reference to the “I AM” God who is always present and always faithful. It’s just the one who we want to be available to listen to us. We want someone who is not too busy, but is always ready to listen and share his faithfulness with us.
The second reference to “Lord” is capitalized, but followed with lowercase “ord.” This is the name for God, “Adonai,” a name for God that refers to his “lordship” and power. He is over all and to him all must submit. So when I cry out to the Lord, its a confidence he can do something about it. Perhaps our hurt is calling for restoration or healing. The Lord can do something about it.
While we cry out to the same God, the psalmists points us to his faithfulness and power to heart and answer our cry for help.
Did you notice the place from which the cry originated? “Out of the depths…” In the Hebrew culture a word “Sheol” was used for hell. This word indicates a depth just short of Sheol. It’s a deep pit, emotionally and spiritually, yet still within the earshot of the LORD, the Lord.
Yes, as brothers and sisters in Christ we want to be available to others to listen when they are hurting. It’s a reminder that the business of our day can often crowd out a ministry opportunity to listen to a hurting heart.
And it’s a great reminder that in the middle of our hurt we can cry out to the Lord…and he will listen.
David knew that:
Psalm 86:6 Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
Jesus invited it:
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We get to do it.
Apply: What hurts are on your heart this morning? Take time to “cry out to the LORD’ with them. Let him know the depths of your hurt and your confidence he can do something about it.
Prayer: Out of the depths I cry to you o LORD, O Lord, hear my voice.