{"id":1141,"date":"2010-06-06T00:00:01","date_gmt":"2010-06-06T00:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/06\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-crying-to-god-out-of-the-depths.html"},"modified":"2010-06-06T00:00:01","modified_gmt":"2010-06-06T00:00:01","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-crying-to-god-out-of-the-depths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/06\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-crying-to-god-out-of-the-depths.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling<\/em>: Crying to God Out of the Depths"},"content":{"rendered":"
READ Psalm 130:1-8<\/a><\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n

\nFrom the depths of despair, O LORD,
     I call for your help.
\n<\/p>\n

Psalm 130:1<\/a><\/div>\n

\nThe first line of Psalm 130 is one of the most frequently quoted of the
\nPsalms: “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD” (130:1,
\nKJV). Why is this simple line so commonly used in prayers, hymns, and
\nspiritual songs? Because it expresses what it’s like to pray when we’re
\nfacing overwhelming challenges. Our hearts resonate with the psalmist
\nwhen we pray, not with joyful praise or quiet calm, but with urgent
\ndesperation. The Message<\/em> puts it this way: “Help, GOD–the bottom has fallen out of my life!”<\/p>\n

The
\nword translated in Psalm 130:1 as “depths” refers literally to the deep
\nplaces of the sea. In Isaiah 51:10, for example, the prophet asks the
\nLord: “Are you not the same today, the one who dried up the sea, making
\na path through the depths so that your people could cross over?”
\nMetaphorically, the use of “depths” signifies a place of serious need
\nand vulnerability. In English, we speak of being in deep trouble. Or we
\nsay that we’re drowning when we feel buried by the demands of life.
\nThus we can easily relate to the cry of the psalmist as he prays “out
\nof the depths.”<\/p>\n

Psalm 130:1 reminds us of two crucial elements
\nof the life of faith. First, sometimes we will be in the depths, the
\ndepths of despair, doubt, and desperation. There will be times when we
\nfeel as if life is crashing in upon us. We can expect such times and
\nprepare for them. Second, when we are in the depths, we are invited to
\ncry out to the Lord. We don’t have to pretend as if we’re filled with
\ntrustful calm. We don’t have to pray with carefully crafted prose.
\nRather, we can cry out to God with whatever words or sighs rise
\nspontaneously to our lips.<\/p>\n

I have dear friends who are in the
\ndepths right now. Economic hardships have been piled on top of their
\nparental challenges. And then last week one of them was diagnosed with
\na serious, potentially debilitating chronic disease. Their depths just
\ngot much deeper. From this scary place, they continue to cry out to
\nGod, putting their hope in his mercy. And those of us who love them
\njoin them in these cries, adding our voices to theirs. Thus, even when
\nyou and I are not facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles in our own
\nlives, our love for others moves us to cry out from the depths: “Hear
\nmy cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer” (130:2).<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION<\/strong>: When you have been in the depths, how have you cried out to God? What helps you to pray when you feel discouraged?<\/p>\n

PRAYER<\/strong>:
\nO Lord, I must admit that I don’t like being in the depths. Yet how
\nthankful I am that when I face difficulties and even despair, I can cry
\nout to you.<\/p>\n

Gracious God, I know that my future will have
\ndepths, even as there have been many in the past. When I find myself in
\nthese deep and hopeless places, help me to call out to you, to trust
\nyou, even to know that you are there for me.<\/p>\n

Today, I remember
\npeople in my life who are in the depths right now. I think of the
\nfriends I mentioned above, and pray that you’ll grant them healing,
\nwisdom, and peace. I think of another friend who faces the possibility
\nof major surgery, and another friend who is still mourning the death of
\nher son. For these, and so many others, I offer my cries for your
\nmercy. Be present to them, Lord. Hear their prayers and answer them.
\nMost of all, bless them with your peace and the reassurance of your
\nunfailing love.  I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . . <\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling of Our Daily Work <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>), a wonderful website about work and God<\/em>. You can read my Daily Reflections<\/a> there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox<\/a> each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. 
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

READ Psalm 130:1-8   From the depths of despair, O LORD,      I call for your help. Psalm 130:1 The first line of Psalm 130 is one of the most frequently quoted of the Psalms: “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD” (130:1, KJV). Why is this simple line so commonly used…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Crying to God Out of the Depths - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1141\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}