Desperate Cry - August 15th, 2008

In the darkness, the young man cries out of frustration and of pain.  He is desperate.  He longs for God, but feels as if he is not worthy.  He longs to hear God's voice and to feel His touch, but feels nothing but pain.  The crushing of his heart.  The pain taking over.  Rain flooding his soul.  Drowning him.  He is losing control.  Tired of speaking the room grows still.  Silence takes over.  He has nothing else to say.  His tears dry up.  The pain continues.  Losing strength, hope, faith, and love....he finds one more thing to say:

"I rather die here in Your presence, than live another second in this world without You.
I rather live here in Your presence, than die in this world without You."

He screams it out.  From the darkness and the depths of his soul.  A desperation.  A cry.  A hunger.  A longing.  The true desires coming out.  The true need for God in this life.  He holds on by a mustard seed of faith.  By this one statement.  By this one proclamation.  He declares it out.  Knowing that God heard him.

Suddenly, out of the silence, God speaks to him:

"Lo, I am with you always and even unto the end.  I rather My presence lives in you while you live in this world so that you can share it until I call you home.  I will never leave you and I will never forsake you.  Behold, I love you."

Then the young man saw a vision of the cross.  Christ was no longer on it, but the seriousness and the depths of the love of Christ could be felt.  As he stood there remembering what God did for him, he was reminded of all of the promises that he has made God.  As he stood there, he was strengthened by the Spirit of God.  The covenant that God had made with man was declared once again.  The promises of God cried out again.  That He loves us. 

Strengthened and renewed...the young man falls asleep with a smile on his face and peace in his heart.  He falls asleep in the arms of God.


Dear reader,

God loves you.  He has not left you.  He is still there.  If you need God to move in your life, then you need to cry out to Him now.  He will save you from the darkness.  He will speak His light and show His love.  He will come to you.  He will embrace you as His child.  He will save you from your sin.  He will strengthen you.  He will set you free.  To worship.  To live.  To love.

Passionately Written,

Jeremy D. Crouch