Your Daily Devotional for February 25, 2006

February 25, 2006

 

This Poor Man Cried

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

Psalm 34:4-6

 

As we approach God’s Word today, we see David praising God for something fantastic, something amazing, something outstanding. He says gratefully in verse six, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”

 

Some Christians honestly think that they have reason to be discouraged. They have a rough home life, their taxes are too high, they aren’t on the top section of the economic scale, etc. They look at all the gray clouds in their life and refuse to acknowledge that the rain that comes is what helps them to grow. The cup isn’t just half empty–it’s almost gone! And their outlook on life becomes dreary, pessimistic, and discouraging. Confidence drops, church attendance wavers, and quiet times are a thing of the past.

 

Now, if looked at from a secular viewpoint, all of these things could be depressing and stifling to any further progress. But as Christians, the problem isn’t the discouraging things in our life. The Bible says that rain falls on the just AND the unjust. We all have problems, burdens, circumstances, that challenge our lives. Those things are not why a Christian succeeds or fails in his walk with the Lord.

 

The reason Christians “win or lose” in this life is their focus.

 

Think of who you were before Christ...nothing but a poor man, lost and alone, without hope or purpose or reason for living! Think of the nights you spent wondering why you’re here and where you’re going to go when death knocked on your door! Think of the bitter relationships, the hateful spirit, the days and nights of sin and guilt and an inexplicable feeling of loss. You had all reason to ask, “Why should I go on? What’s the point?”

 

Then, think of when you heard the good news. Think of when you heard of a hope of forgiveness, of a life worth living! And after that, think of when this poor man cried. But do not only think of the cry; think of how the Lord heard you, and saved you! He saved you from hell, from your sin, from your guilt, from yourself, from everything you were soaked in...think about that! What a wonderful thought! I’m so glad the Lord heard THIS poor man.

 

Now, think of this.

 

Think of how ridiculous it is that we should ever dwell on anything contrary or stifling to the joy of our salvation. The same God who remembered Noah, Hannah, and Moses, the same One who drove the stone in Goliath’s head is the God that you serve. All of a sudden, your reasons to complain seem to fade away. Taxes don’t look so intimidating, do they? In fact, nothing does, in light of the wonderful cross and the price paid in full for our sins. My friends, how dare we think we have the right to complain? If you ever get discouraged, remember who you were, remember Who made you into who you are now, and continue on in His grace and power.

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1