The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 4, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

There is a popular hymn we sing called Hear Me When I Cry and it was written by a man, who sat in the corner of a funeral home, during the visitation for his wife who had just passed away. In what is a dark moment for anyone, he remembered the words of our reading and penned that beautiful song. As I think about that song and David’s Psalm, a few things come to my mind.

First, we all have those dark times that weigh on our souls. It is impossible to constantly be on the “mountaintop” of life. Even in the life of our Lord we see the highs and the lows. From the celebration of the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee (John 2) to the pain of facing the cross (John 17). From the multitudes that pressed closer to hear Him (Luke 8:42) to the four people that stood by the cross (John 19:25). Jesus truly was a man “of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Take comfort in knowing that that in those dark times, it’s okay to feel that but understand that Jesus knows what you are feeling, let Him help you.

But then secondly, we think we understand what people are going through, but we really don’t, at least not until you have to face the darkness of death or illness or loss. I always thought I understood what people felt as I would conduct funerals for their parent that just died, but it was not unto my mother passed away could I truly empathize with them. I’m grateful I’ve never had a major surgery, but I feel inadequate trying to comfort someone that has. But here’s the good news, God knows how you feel, let Him help you.

Lastly, you can truly appreciate the thought of knowing that God hears your prayers, and if you are a child of God, He will comfort you. He is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 3:1-6).

By: Justin Odom