Is it too late?

Many won’t even think about spiritual training until the need for it forces them to. Like the Israelites, why should they bother themselves with the disciplined life when they don’t see any need for it? But when trouble comes, everyone “cries out to the Lord in their distress.”

Is there hope in the middle of disaster that God will hear you and help you? There are two kinds of people who “cry out to the Lord in their distress.” The first is the person who just wants God to take away the painful situation and give him back his blessings that he feels God owes him. For him there will be no answers or help from God.

But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you … Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. (Proverbs 1:24-26, 28)

The second person (while he also may at first blame God for letting this disaster happen to him) has had some time to suffer and think on it some more. Like Job, he comes to a change of mind – he gets a more humble attitude and approaches God with a new heart. The sinner repents; the servant submits; the enemy reconciles with the King. When the Israelites had some time to suffer and think about their sin, they came back to God humbled and repentant. Then God lifted their burdens and delivered them.

Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. (Psalm 106:43-45)

The wise man, however, sees trouble coming ahead of time and gets ready for it. When he goes to God for help, he isn’t in a panic. He already trusts in God and he has no reason to fear whatever the enemy may throw at him. His soul is secure.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs 22:3)

The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19:23)