Most of us know, firsthand, about “911 prayers.” You know, those prayers that are cried out to heaven in an emergency . . . less concerned about getting the words just right, instead, desperate to get the message to heaven. There’s something about tough times that kind of makes praying easier . . . praying shifts from a “discipline” to a “lifeline.” Difficult situations have a way of cutting through all the other stuff and focusing us back on what is most vital — i.e. our relationship with the Lord. And, as I read in Psalm 119 this morning, it’s not only prayer which becomes more active, more fervent, when times are tough . . . hard times also have a way of driving us to the word of God. Check this out . . .

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes . . . The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.” (Ps. 119:67, 71 ,72)

I guess it kind of makes sense . . . in times of crisis, not only do we want to be heard by God, but we also want to hear from God and know He is present. Where else can you go to hear from God, but His word? The psalmist’s experience appears to be that because of his affliction . . . whatever that difficulty was (looks like it may have been some form of persecution based on verse 69) . . . he and the word of God had become “better friends.” Before this time of testing and trial you sense that the song-writer and the word may have been, at best, casual acquaintances. But, as a result of going through his deep waters, he know was a stronger believer in the commandments (119:66) . . . a delighter in the law (119:70) . . . an investor in the currency of God’s word — a value better “than thousands of coins of gold and silver” (119:72).

No one likes to go through hard times . . . certainly not me. But praise God when He uses those experiences to build spiritual character and authenticity within us. When we go through things that move us from talking about prayer to praying . . . when He allows circumstance that create a hunger and thirst for His voice such that we find ourselves propelled into His word and end up falling in love with His God-breathed revelation to us. Twice in these 8 verses, the psalmist cries, “Teach me!” It appears the crisis had passed, but now that he had tasted of the sweet word of truth, he wanted more. No sense from this verses of this glorious song, that he was prepared to put The Book back on the shelf until the next time he needed it. No, the taste had given away to a hunger . . . the desperation of the momentary affliction had fanned into flame a desperation to hear and to know the ways of God on a day-by-day basis.

Yup, there’s something about a crisis which can result in spiritual growth . . . something about the furnace of affliction that refines silver such that it becomes a bit more pure and shines a little more brightly. And we shouldn’t waste a “good crisis” . . . embracing the degree to which it draws us closer to the One who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. But, I’m not sure I want to wait for a “good crisis” (or need a crisis) in order to sit up at the table of His revealed ways and feast heartily there . . . I’m not looking for a “crash and burn” situation to ignite a thirst which can only be quenched by the water of the word. Instead, I’ll own the psalmist’s words as my own during this time of peace . . . during this season of mostly mountain top living . . . “You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes . . . teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.” (119:68, 66).

Praise God, that we don’t need to wait for the 911 situations in order to be heard by God or for God to be heard by us through His word.

Word of God speak . . .