The cry of desperation

Sunday 7-31-2016   Hotel in San Rafael, California, ministering in Novato

Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 63 – 64   Psalm 107  John 2

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Ps 107:17-21 “Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness…” NKJV

O.  The psalmist describes four individuals or groups of people who due to their wrong decisions have reached the end of all hope.  One is lost in a desert place, hungry and thirsty; another is bound in chains as a slave; one has food, but is so destroyed that he cannot stand to look at it; and another is at sea in a terrible storm.  In each case they finally get desperate enough to call on the Lord and He saves them, heals them and delivers them.

A.  I am reminded of my late friend, Steve Hill, who could not tell of his conversion without tears.  His drugs had taken him to the edge of the pit. A Lutheran minister friend had told him that Jesus was his only hope. Now the room was spinning and death seemed close. He didn’t really know how to pray… so in desperation he just cried out, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” And Jesus came into that room and rescued him. Jesus totally transformed his life into a powerful evangelist. 

P.  Lord Jesus, just a true as Steve Hill’s testimony, You reached down and lifted me from the edge of the pit of sin and death. I was only a child, but without Your intervention… I don’t dare to imagine the depths of sin and degradation where I may have fallen. You rescued me years before the shipwreck. In Your sight I was no less a sinner. I was no less lost. Lord Jesus, Steve went on to live a life that touched thousands of others. May my heart express thanksgiving by extending Your love, grace and mercy to many others. And may they cry out to You! For I know You. You will hear their cry of desperation You and come to their rescue, too.  Amen.

Ralph

Rescue the Perishing

Frances Cosby 1870

1.    Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

o   Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

2.    Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

3.    Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

4.    Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.