DAILY DEVOTION, August 23, 2021

In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me (Psalm 120:1 NKJV).

We all face times of distress. I don’t know anyone who ever sailed through life without having a problem or two! This verse reminded me of a time years ago when I was trying to drive home in a blizzard. No sooner had I prayed for help when my engine conked out! I think God must have been saying, “Stop driving in a blizzard, stupid!” Well, God would not use the word “stupid,” but you get the idea. A nice man in a pickup truck stopped and helped push my car off the road and drove me to a small town where I waited out the storm in a tavern! (Any port in a storm, they say).

When we are distressed, our first thought should be to turn to God in prayer. His answer may surprise us, but He will always listen and answer the prays of those who trust in His Son. You are probably wondering, “Why did Richard’s engine quit?” The snow was blowing so hard it blew into the engine, packed around the spark plugs, and they stopped sparking! The answer to my prayer was not what I expected, but I thank God he sent a friendly person in a pick up truck to deliver me from my distress.

Father, thank You for being there to help us when we are in distress. You may answer our prayers in unexpected ways, but You always hear those who trust in You. We thank You for Your watch-care over us, In Jesus name, Amen.