On Hearing the Screams

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears." Psalm 18:6 NASB




Often I have thought about the times we were at the park while our son was practicing with the midget football team.
For four years, during the late summer and fall, we were at the park, three to four times per week, practicing. The park was a busy place. There were kids playing on the playground, joggers and walkers on the pathways, basketball games, soccer games, baseball games and the midget team having practice.


I usually took advantage of the time while there and would walk the pathway with a friend. One beautiful afternoon, I was quite a distance away and up a hill from where the team was practicing, when I heard a child scream. Now there were kids everywhere playing, but I knew immediately that  my son was the one who screamed. I turned and hurriedly headed back in the direction where practice was taking place and learned my son had broken his arm at the shoulder.


I knew his scream. He was my own and I recognized it among all the other sounds and voices going on at the park, even at a distance.


God hears His very own children as if they were the only ones on earth. we have His 100% undivided attention at all times and above all the noise and confusion down here.  He loves us so much and cares about what is going on in our lives. Whatever is going on does not escape His notice. Holding us through all circumstances of our lives, He is in control of everything and that includes what happens to us.


As much as we love our children, He loves them more. I have held on to Psalm 18 for comfort, strength and to know God is always with me. I'm thankful we have the Psalms written by those in distress, depression, trouble, dire straits, good times and in bad. They are as relatable today as they were when written. Verse 6 from this Psalm is translated from cry to scream in another version. "In my distress I screamed to the Lord for his help." Sometimes scream just seems more fitting for the circumstance.


My former small group leader, who now resides in heaven, told me when I was in great distress, to "camp out in the Psalms." What great advice he gave me.


In your distress, cry out to the Lord. He hears and knows it's you. Somewhat like a mother who hears her child in distress and runs to help him, your good heavenly Father is always with you, always available for you, and wants more than anything to come to your aid.