Crying Out to God: The Key to Deliverance
"¶ And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites," - Judges 6:7
Judges 6:7 states, "And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites." This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel’s history, one that resonates with our own experiences of struggle and the desperate need for divine intervention.
The context surrounding this verse is critical to understanding its significance. The children of Israel, having turned away from God and indulged in idolatry, found themselves suffering under the oppression of the Midianites for seven long years. The Midianites invaded their land, destroyed their crops, and left the Israelites in a state of fear and despair. Despite their rebellious hearts, it was during this period of intense suffering that the Israelites finally turned back to God in their utter desperation, crying out for relief from their plight.
In our lives, we often encounter 'Midianites'—the seemingly insurmountable challenges that threaten to overtake us. These can be financial difficulties, health concerns, strained relationships, or even existential crises of faith. Just as the Israelites had to face their adversaries, we too must confront the struggles that wage war against our peace and joy. Like the Israelites, we sometimes exhaust all human means before finally turning our gaze upward to the Lord, but the beauty of this verse lies in what follows their cry—the promise of God’s deliverance.
The act of crying out to God signifies recognition of our inability to save ourselves; it is an acknowledgment that we need His help. When the Israelites cried unto the LORD, they were not merely voicing their complaints; they were making an earnest appeal for intervention. This gives us a powerful lesson about prayer. True prayer comes from a place of desperation and sincerity. God knows our hearts, and He responds to genuine cries for help. The Psalmist writes, "I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill" (Psalm 3:4). It is in our cries that we reach out not only for help but also for relationship, inviting Him into the very core of our struggles.
Moreover, the phrase “And it came to pass” is crucial. It assures us that God is not deaf to our cries. It signifies a turning point. When the Israelites finally cried out, it marked the beginning of their deliverance and restoration. God is always ready to respond; the key is bringing our troubles to Him. He is waiting for us to call on Him, to recognize His sovereignty, and to trust in His good and perfect will for our lives.
In God’s faithfulness, after their cries, He did not just send them a temporary relief. Rather, He prepared a deliverer—Gideon. Just as He orchestrated a plan for Israel's salvation, He has a purpose and a plan for your life, despite your circumstances. God can turn your struggle into strength and your pain into purpose. Trust that He hears your prayers and is actively working on your behalf even when you cannot see it.
Let us take time today to evaluate our lives. Are there areas where we feel oppressed, discouraged, or hopeless? Are we lifting our voices in prayer, asking God for deliverance in those situations? Like the Israelites, God invites us to turn to Him, to cry out in our need, confident that He will hear and respond. May we never forget that God is a God who saves, and when we cry to Him, He will formulate a plan for our rescue. In our cries, we find a path to spiritual renewal, a reminder of His steadfast love, and the assurance that we are never alone.
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Judges 6:7 - "¶ And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,"
"¶ And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites," - Judges 6:7
Judges 7:6 - "And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water."
Judges 5:7
Matthew 7:1 - "Judge not, that ye be not judged."
1 Samuel 7:6 - "And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh."
Judges 6:6 - "And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD."
John 7:24 - "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
Matthew 7:1-2 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
"Judge not, that ye be not judged." - Matthew 7:1
1 Corinthians 6:2 - "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"
Hosea 7:7 - "They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me."
Judges 3:6 - "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods."
Luke 6:37 - "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
Judges 12:7 - "And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead."
Judges 6:36-40 – Gideon’s fleece test for dew.
Judges 14:7 - "And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well."
Judges 20:7 - "Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel."
Psalms 141:6 - "When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet."
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." - John 7:24
2 Chronicles 19:6 - "And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment."
Matthew 7:2 - "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
Psalms 7:8 - "The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me."
Judges 6:23 - "And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die."
Judges 6:40 - "And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground."
Judges 11:6 - "And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon."
"And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water." - Judges 7:6
Judges 7:10 - "But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:"
Judges 17:7 - "¶ And there was a young man out of Beth-lehem-judah of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there."
Judges 17:6 - "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."