Psalm 120:1 In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me.… The dark fact is human distress; the explanation is the prayer it leads to; the illumination, the answer it brings. We have here - I. A TOO RARE PERSONAGE. "In my distress, I," etc. It is by no means every one who does this. 1. Some blaspheme - curse God in their hearts. 2. Others east off all faith - say, "There is no God." Many have done this. 3. Others harden their hearts, as Pharaoh did. 4. Others plunge deeper into sin. (Isaiah 1:5.) In the distraction which for a while they gain, they drown the sense of their misery. 5. Others turn to human aid for deliverance and solace. 6. Yet others bestir themselves to get by their own effort what help they may. The psalmist's resource does not condemn, but will often include, these two last methods, and will further their usefulness. But to turn to God in distress is as wise as it is too seldom adopted. II. A REAL REASON FOR DISTRESS. God sends it, or lets it come, that it may lead men to turn to him: that is ever his intent. But for such distress we should scarce turn to him at all. III. A RIGHT MANNER OF PRAYER. "I cried." It tells of earnestness, of humility, of believing trust, of self-distrust. It has all those elements which go to make up, acceptable and prevailing prayer. How little of our prayer is a crying unto God! It is decorous, reverent, formal, correct, and seeks true and worthy objects, but it lacks fervor, force, and the faith which will not let the Lord go unless he bless. No man ever yet "cried unto the Lord" and failed to find response. IV. A READY AND REALIZED RESPONSE. "He heard me." How promptly this confession comes after the statement, "I cried"! (Cf. Caesar's "Veni, vidi, vici.") It is like that. And the psalmist knew that he was heard. The outward circumstances may not have much changed, but in his heart the light had risen, the Lord had come. CONCLUSION. Distress of one kind or another we all must know. Let us adopt this manner of prayer, and we shall surely find the ready response. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees.} In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. |
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