He Heard Me

Being a Pastor has many wonderful privileges. I can experience preaching God’s word every Sunday. I get to have Bible study with other brothers and sisters and dig deep into the scriptures.  Being a Pastor allows me to have conversations with those who don’t know Jesus and lead them to the seat of grace and mercy. I have also had the privilege of baptizing many people over the years and seeing their faces as they come out of the water —the joy and excitement. I have the privilege of counseling couples before they get married and then officiating their wedding. These are some wonderful perks of being in ministry.

Then there are those times when tragedy strikes. The broken marriages, rebellious children, and when death takes loved ones. It is then that I have to gaze into the faces of those I love and not only see their pain, but I can almost feel it. They often look for answers as to why such things happen, and I have none, but I know a Guy.

For those who may be reading or watching this and are followers of Jesus, I want you to know that you have not been forsaken. You are still in the hands of The Almighty. Psalm 116:1-6,

“I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I beseech You, save my life!” Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.” Many songs speak to this truth. In those times when your heart is broken and you just don’t think you can make it any longer, call upon the name of Jesus. Notice what the Psalmist writes, “The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me.” Sheol is the place of the dead in the Hebrew language. You can almost feel the pain and despair through the words of the writer. Notice where he turns. He turns to the Lord. Why? Because He is gracious, righteous, and compassionate. He is the only One who can do anything about the hurt and pain that we go through. It is in those times we feel so helpless that He comes and rescues us.

I know that in the church I Pastor, there are many who have gone through some very tough times. Some have come through that valley; others are still in the midst of the storm. There are others who will soon face a storm. When you get to your lowest point, call on Jesus. When you don’t see any hope, call on Jesus. As a Pastor and friend, I wish I could take all the pain away from my church family. I can’t, but I know a Guy. His name is Jesus. Call on Him and watch and see His grace and mercy fill your heart and your life.