LORD, I am in deep trouble, so I am calling to you for help.

As the saying goes: “there are no atheists in foxholes.” When people encounter extreme danger, whether in a foxhole during war or in any perilous situation of any kind, many of them turn to God for help. There have been academic studies that have shown that a significant percentage of people under severe stress turn to God. Some ethnologists have even made the claim that this is a worldwide, universal phenomenon.

From a biblical perspective, this “phenomenon” is less than surprising. In Romans, Paul says that everyone knows God. Although people may not honor Him as God or thank Him for anything, they know of His existence and nature (Romans 1:21). It makes sense then, that when they encounter extreme danger most of them cry out to Him for help.

The psalmist in our verse for today was in deep trouble, and he turned to God. He knew God, and he knew what God is like. He knew that God is the one you turn to in times of trouble. He knew that you must call out to God and ask Him to listen to your cry for help (Psalm 130:2). When real trouble comes along, the powerlessness of the false gods people usually rely on is revealed, and they turn to the One that can actually do something. They surrender their pride and stubbornness and humbly request the help of God.

The psalmist also knew that God is a forgiving God. He knew that God would listen to his cry for help despite his sin. He said, “LORD, if you punished people for all their sins, no one would be left alive,” (Psalm 130:3). We may come before God and ask for help in our times of trouble, because God is willing to forgive the penitential heart. He is worthy, therefore, of our fear and respect. He is worthy of the great praise and worship that He receives.

Today, you may find yourself in deep trouble. You may find that everything you had originally counted on to sustain you and help you is totally unreliable. Today may be the day to surrender your pride, and call to God for help.