Good morning. The Church’s suggested passage for the day is from Psalm 120:1. It says, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me”. I’m sure I am not the only member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that finds this verse particularly applicable to our lives. Life is filled with moments of joy, peace, and prosperity, but it also includes trials, tribulations, and moments of significant distress. This psalm portrays a universal human experience – the experience of turning to Heavenly Father in times of need.
First and foremost, we must acknowledge the importance of turning to the Lord during times of distress. The psalmist’s declaration, “I cried unto the Lord,” illustrates the natural human response to life’s challenges. As Latter-day Saints, we are taught to “cry unto God for all thy support” (Alma 37:36). In doing so, we acknowledge our dependence on a higher power, and our faith allows us to find solace in times of trouble. Let’s read that full verse from Alma: “Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.”
The second part of the psalm carries a message of hope and reassurance: “and he heard me.” Heavenly Father is always ready to listen to our pleas, to understand our suffering, and to provide the comfort we so desperately seek. In the Doctrine and Covenants we find a promise from the Lord: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88) In our faith, we believe that God does not always remove our trials, but He provides us with the strength and guidance to endure and overcome them. Sometimes, the greatest blessings emerge from our moments of greatest distress. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
In the Book of Mormon we learn of the importance of turning to God in times of trouble. For example, we find the account of the people of Alma, who, while enslaved, cried unto the Lord for deliverance. Their faith and fervent prayers brought about a miraculous event, demonstrating the power of turning to God in times of distress.
What can we learn from this verse as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and apply to our lives? It reminds us of the importance of faith, prayer, and trust in Heavenly Father during difficult times. It reinforces our belief that God hears our prayers and is ever ready to provide the comfort and strength we need.
As we face our own trials and tribulations, let’s remember Psalm 120:1, “In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.” I hope this verse can have as much meaning for you as it has for me. That one little, ancient line of text can be a source of inspiration, hope, and encouragement as we strive to live our lives in harmony with our faith.
May each of us remember to turn to Heavenly Father in our times of distress, with faith and trust in His loving guidance. Just as the psalmist found solace in his cry unto the Lord, so too can we find strength and peace through our own prayers and faith. Let’s continue to draw closer to Heavenly Father and rely on His grace and love, knowing that He is ever ready to hear and respond to our pleas for help.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
