Desperation leads people to do all sorts of things… like inflicting pain on someone, stealing money, acting recklessly, or disobeying the law. Terrible things are often the result of desperation. But for the Christian, desperation can be a good thing. Our desperation can lead us down the same destructive path as others OR it can lead us right to the cross… begging, pleading, and crying out to God. You may be asking though… Is this what God wants? Doesn’t He shake His finger at us when we, in desperation, come to Him begging? I would say NO not at all. I would say that He loves a desperate cry.
God came to the rescue of the Israelites when they begged Him to rescue them. God restored David’s peace when he pleaded. In Psalm 17:6 (our key verse), David says to God: “Bend down and listen as I pray.” That to me is a desperate prayer. Jesus heard the desperate cry of a father in Mark 9 when he fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Lord, I believe. But help me in my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Jesus then, in compassion, stretched out His hand and delivered this father’s son from the demons that were tormenting him. Jesus came to Mary as she cried and wept outside the tomb… just one more minute with Him is all she wanted. Jesus loves a desperate cry.
Jamie MacDonald sings about this in her song Desperate:
I’m at the end of myself and I’m tired,
I’ve tried all that I know to do
Right now it’s just a thread
I’m hanging onto you.
I’m running out of hope
I need a miracle
And if I ever needed you, it’s right now.
Oh God, I’m desperate
Down on my knees
Send help from heaven
‘Cause that’s what I need
Redeem this wreckage
Restore my peace
I’m not asking, I’m begging
Lord, come through for me.
Are you desperate right now? Have you prayed and prayed and prayed for deliverance, restoration, freedom, a prodigal to return, a weight to be lifted, the salvation of a loved one, a straight path, a difficult situation to be fixed? Let me ask you… How desperate are you? Is your desperation leading you right to the cross? To the One who can do all things. To the One who loves a desperate cry. If you are at the end of your rope, then beg Jesus to come to your rescue. Plead with Him to answer your desperate cry. Trust me, He loves a desperate heart that comes to Him.