“Lord, help!”

“ Lord , help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.
Psalms 107:28‭-‬32 NLT

Yes, He is faithful to save when we cry out to Him. I know this is true because I have seen evidence of it with my own eyes. But how much more blessed are those who haven’t seen the evidence yet, but who believe and trust in the Lord God Almighty to fulfill His every promise?

Whether we are high on the bright mountain top, or low in the shadowy valley, He is God and He is worthy of praise and honor and glory. Whether a man is a worm destined to dry up and die in the heat of the sun, or is a vessel of the glory of the Lord sent to shine forth into this world, He is God and He is worthy of praise and honor and glory.

But oh, how sweet it is when His mercy falls on us and He regards our sins no more — not so that we might soon more, but that we might know His love and choose willingly, gratefully, to walk in His ways. Oh, how sweet it is when His mercy and love paves the way for His very spirit and nature to come live amongst, and with, and in, and through his people.

Oh, how sweet it is when He pours Himself out on His people, when He not only washes away their sins in forgiveness, but when He renews their minds, prepares and equips them, and sends them our in victory and in life abundant to sing His praises and share this Good News that Christ livesthat Jesus has inaugurated both the tribulation and the Kingdom of God

— that victory ordained since the very beginning

— the very same victory persevering in a battle still evident this very moment between spirit and flesh in the lives of believers

— that very same victory already won for all eternity is close hand because the veil has been torn and we now see what was once hidden from our sight.

Yes, God is both just and merciful — and even the storm, even the trials, even the tribulation, even the temptations, even our own shortcomings have purpose and a testimony to serve.