“17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18
One of the worst feelings in the world is to be hurt and have no one nearby to help. Seventeen years ago, while hiking, Aron Ralston’s arm became stuck under a half-ton boulder for 6 days with little food and water. For six long days it didn’t matter how loud he called out, there was no one near enough to hear his cries (eventually, he courageously used a pocket knife to amputate his own arm to free himself). I can’t imagine how lonely and helpless he must have felt. Yet, for Christians, Psalm 34:17 tells us that God always hears the cries of the righteous. No matter where we are or what circumstances we may find ourselves in, he will hear us when we cry out. We will never know what it’s like to cry out with none to hear. God always hears the cries of his children.
The example of Aron Ralston, however, also presents another dilemma. Does Psalm 34:17-18 mean that every time we face danger or threat of death that God will rescue us when we cry out? In what way will God deliver us out of all our troubles? It’s important to remember that the Bible is ultimately concerned about eternal things. There are temporary troubles and there are eternal troubles. It is not cliche or trite to say that God may choose to deliver us out of a dangerous situation by ushering us into his eternal arms.
Some may feel like that’s not deliverance at all. But, the Bible would say it’s the greatest deliverance any of us could ever ask for. The greatest help and deliverance has been given us in the finished work of Christ on the cross. For all who place their faith in him, God has promised that he will never let our faith fail. He will keep us to the last day so that when we face death, we enter into another life.
Therefore, we can take great comfort that he will never leave us or forsake us. He is always nearby, ready to give us strength and to sustain our faith. When we are brokenhearted, he hears our cry and stands with us. When we are crushed and feel overwhelmed, he is there to hold us up. He’s ready to listen as you cry out to him, pleading for his help and for his deliverance. That deliverance may not always come the way we expect, but it will always be for our good (Rom. 8:28).