Pathways Press.com

Written by Celeste Bailey from the Village Church

Years ago, when I was in high school, and as a young follower of Christ,

Satan decided to test me. I am not sure how it happened, but negative and unpleasant thoughts about Jesus and who He is flooded my thoughts. It was torture and I tried to fight it with my newly memorized scripture verses but to no avail. This torment went on for a while, until one night on my bed, during my devotional time, I cried out to God to save my wretched soul from this affliction. I opened the Bible and Psalm 63 came up. It’s a cry of David for help from his enemies but it’s also a beautiful adoration and worship. I read it and when I came to verse 6-9, I knew that God sent me this message. “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.” At that moment, I was washed by God’s warmth and presence and felt a tremendous burden lifted off me. My tormentor left me and I spent time worshipping the Lord. I learned that when we cry out to God, He hears us and whatever the outcome is He is there for us. Jesus cried out to the Father while He was on the cross and because of His suffering, death and resurrection, He enabled us to cry out to Him in time of distress.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to You [ Jeremiah 29:12]