Keep Crying Out

When my son was first born, I would jump up anytime he made a sound and run to make sure he was alright. If he turned his head in the middle of the night, I was right there by his bassinette to see what happened! As time went on, I learned that I did not need to run to him because he made a noise. Now if I hear him make a noise, I will often wait to see if he will fall back to sleep, or work his problem out on his own.

I also have the wonderful blessing of having an extremely happy baby boy! This is a wonderful thing, and I would not dare complain, but at times I have wished he would cry more. When he needs something I need him to not just cry, but to keep crying. When I hear him cry in the morning through the monitor, I will often come down stairs and start preparing his bottle. If he stops crying, I will stop preparing his bottle because I will assume he drifted back to sleep. I am always going to be there for him when he is upset, but I will not always come running.

This morning I came across Psalm 72:12, “For he will rescue the poor who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.” I could not get that part out of my head, “the poor who cry out.” It also brought to mind Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” I think there is a difference between asking God to do a bunch of things we know He wants to do because He has already promised them and crying out to Him. We cry out when our heart is broken for something.

I have been in places in my life when I have needed to cry out to God for something. When the poor cried out to God, it is because they were in desperate need of a Savior. We also know that God, like an experienced Father, may not always run to us right away. He may wait to see if we can overcome the problem ourselves, or He may be preparing something for us before swooping us up in His arms and giving us what He had in mind. Regardless, if we keep crying out and wait on the Lord, we know He is faithful to renew our strength!

For the first time it finally made since to me why we should “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” (Psalm 122:6). I have heard many pastors say that we should pray for peace in Jerusalem because God asked us to even though we know it will not come until this world is destroyed. It never made since to me why we should ask for something we know is going to happen at the time God has planned. However, if my son is not crying and asking for food when it is time for him to be fed, I may hold off. He doesn’t know why I need him to cry and keep crying, but I need him to cry so that I know he wants what it is I have for him. Continuing to pray for Jerusalem is an indication that our heart is broken for God's city. Our heart is broken because His heart is broken for His people. When we continue to pray for this city, we should be crying out to God because His city is not at peace!

God, forgive me for not praying for peace in Jerusalem. I pray that you bring peace to your chosen city! Thank you for giving me the strength, wisdom, and patience to wait on you when I am crying out for something and for having the wisdom to let me do things on my own at times. Amen.