I cried out to Heaven.

 I Cried Out to Heaven

A Reflection on Psalm 18:6, Psalm 34:17, and Jonah 2:2

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears. (Psalm 18:6)

I cried out to heaven—when the weight of life pressed down,

When the path was steep and the darkness had no crown.

I lifted my voice, I raised my hands,

I called out to the One who understands.

I cried out to heaven—not with polished prayer,

But with raw, honest words, with desperate air.

I poured out my heart, I told Him my need,

I laid at His feet every fear, every seed.

I cried out to heaven—and He heard my cry,

The God of all comfort, the Lord Most High.

He did not turn away, He did not hide His face,

He drew near to me in that dark and lonely place.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)

I cried out to heaven—when the night was long,

When I could not find the strength to be strong.

I cried out to heaven—when the tears would not cease,

When I needed the touch of His healing peace.

I cried out to heaven—and He answered me,

Not always in the way I thought, not always instantly,

But in the way that was best, in the way that was true,

He heard my cry and He saw me through.

“In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and You listened to my cry.” (Jonah 2:2)

He heard me—not because I was good,

But because He is faithful, as only He could.

He heard me because He loves me so,

And He will never let me go.

So I will cry out to heaven—again and again,

In the joy and the sorrow, in the loss and the gain.

For the God who hears my cry is the God who saves,

Who lifts me from the depths, who breaks the chains.

I cry out to heaven—and He is there.

He always hears. He always cares.

Amen.