July 31 - Cry Out to Jesus

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 63;64; Psalms 107; John 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Crying out to Jesus is the simplest
and purest form of prayer.

The gripping message of a Third Day song came to mind during my readings today. Here is the chorus of “Cry Out To Jesus:”

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

Psalms 107 is a similar song, with each of its verses describing a different group of troubled people. But the refrain for all is the same: Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress (107:6,13,19,28). We see the contrast in both Isaiah and John.

Isaiah describes the awesome earth-shaking power of God (64:1-4), the filth of our sin (64:6), and the incredible grace of God to deliver us when we cry out to Him (63:9; 64:4,5).

John describes two events in the life of Jesus that illustrate His justice and mercy. His justice comes out in the literal cracking of the whip and overturning of tables in response to reducing worship into commerce. His personal care comes out in the unusual miracle of turning water into wine, at a wedding of all places. Now that’s not normally an illustration of God’s grace (other than the symbolism of wine and His blood), but it stands in such sharp contrast to the holy, wrathful Jesus in the story that follows. It’s not evidence of a split personality, but of a loving, gracious, and intensely personal God.

“Lord, when I cry out to You, no matter how badly I’ve messed up my life, You consistently meet me wherever I am and deliver me from my distress!”