Posted: 12 October 2026

From a sermon given on 11 October 2026:

Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
(Psalm 107:18-19)

The psalmist describes those who suffered because of their own irrational choices and rebellion. Their affliction became so severe that they lost their appetite and drew near to death. It was in that desperate condition that they turned to God in quest of His help. Their story reminds us that no matter how far we have wandered or how deep our troubles have become, God's mercy remains within reach.

Sometimes people try to handle life's storms on their own until they reach a breaking point. You may be overwhelmed by a crisis and discover that human solutions are not enough. Yet it is often in those moments of helplessness that sincere prayer rises from the heart. What seemed like the end becomes the turning point, because adversity has a way of driving us back to God.

Our greatest need is not freedom from trouble but a renewed dependence on God. The Lord hears the cry of the desperate, the weary, and the broken. When we call upon Him with humility and faith, He responds with mercy, guidance, and deliverance. The storm may be fierce, but it can become the very thing that leads us back to God's saving grace. When trouble drives us to prayer, prayer opens the door to God's power.

Further readings:

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
(Psalm 50:15)

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
(Jeremiah 33:3)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)