Cry Aloud
Good morning from Managua, Nicaragua!
Early last week the orphanage in El Canyon was informed that a number of the kids who were living there due to the economic situation of their families or the lack of schools in their home villages would have to leave. For a few of the kids this means returning to a remote village with very little educational opportunity. This news was very hard to hear, and confusing and sad on many levels. Why do kids who have been given a great opportunity to better themselves suddenly forced to abandon that opportunity? This is truly one of those times when life doesn’t seem to make sense.
In considering all of this, I was reminded that God can handle our complaints. However, many times I think we live as if the opposite is true. Instead of telling God how we truly feel we sugar coat our prayers in hopes of not offending God and his sovereignty. The example of David, the person described as a man after God’s own heart, paints a very different picture. “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” (Psalm 142:1-2, NIV) This is one of many examples found in Psalms, a book of the Bible, where David voices a complaint to God. David knew that God already knew his heart and wanted him to be honest.
The same is true for us. Yes, God is a big and sovereign god. At the same time, God is our loving father who desires a real relationship with us. This means that God wants us to tell him when life does not make sense. He understands that we can only see a part of the picture. Part of trusting God is trusting that he loves you, no matter what. Do you believe that is true? God already knows your heart and is waiting for you to trust him enough to “cry aloud” to him when life hurts. David did. Will you?
– James Belt
In2theRiver 