For example, we can all identify with this:
(Deu 4:29) And if you shall seek Jehovah your God from there, then you shall find Him, if you seek Him with your whole heart, and with all your soul,
(Deu 4:30) in your distress, when all these things have found you, in the latter days, then you shall return to Jehovah your God, and shall listen to His voice.
(Deu 4:31) For Jehovah your God is a merciful God. He will not forsake you, nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.
Distress serves a purpose for God to create us in His image, showing that He is totally soverign. How many times in our lives have we been to the point of what is going on, what did I do? Only to see ALL things in our lives come a tumbling down, and leave us thinking what the heck is going on? Even my dog turns his back on me.
(Jdg 10:13) Yet you have forsaken Me, and served other gods; therefore, I did not save you again.
(Jdg 10:14) Go and cry to the gods which you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.
(Jdg 10:15) And the sons of Israel said to Jehovah, We have sinned. Do to us whatever may be good in Your eyes; only please deliver us this day.
How many times have we all done this, live this life our own way and when in trouble run to God asking for help. Is it any wonder why God is a jealous God. Lucky for us He is merciful.
(2Ch 20:9) If evil shall come upon us, whether sword, judgment, or pestilence and famine, we shall stand before this house and before You, for Your name is in this house, and shall cry to You out of our distress, and You shall hear and save.
(2Ch 20:11) yea, behold, they are repaying us by coming in to drive us out of Your possession, that You have caused us to possess.
(2Ch 20:12) O our God, shall You not execute judgment upon them? For there is no power in us before this great multitude that has come against us, and we do not know what we shall do; but our eyes are on You.
(2Ch 20:15) and He said, Listen, all Judah, and you living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat; so says Jehovah to you, You shall not fear nor be terrified of the face of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
Putting total trust and faith through obedience to Him and not in ourselves can only come about when the beast is destroyed.
(Psa 37:38) But the transgressors are destroyed together; the end of the wicked is cut off.
(Psa 37:39) But the salvation of the righteous is from Jehovah; He is their strength in the time of distress.
(Psa 37:40) And Jehovah helps them and delivers them; He shall deliver them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust in Him.
I know this is long, so please forgive me, but this next psalm is great:
(Psa 116:1) I love Jehovah because He hears my voice, my prayers.
(Psa 116:2) Because He has bowed His ear to me, I will also call in my days.
(Psa 116:3) The cords of death hemmed me in; and the pains of Sheol found me; I find distress and sorrow;
(Psa 116:4) then I call on the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech You, deliver my soul!
(Psa 116:5) Jehovah is gracious and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
(Psa 116:6) Jehovah watches over the simple; I was low, but He saved me.
(Psa 116:7) Return to your rest, O soul; for Jehovah has blessed you.
(Psa 116:
For You have delivered my soul from death, my eye from tears, my feet from stumbling.
(Psa 116:9) I will walk before the face of Jehovah in the lands of the living.
(Psa 116:10) I believed; so I speak; I was greatly afflicted;
(Psa 116:11) I said in my alarm, All men are liars.
(Psa 116:12) What shall I return to Jehovah for His benefits to me?
(Psa 116:13) I will lift up the cup of salvation, and I will call on the name of Jehovah.
(Psa 116:14) I will pay my vows to Jehovah now in the presence of all His people.
(Psa 116:15) Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of His saints.
(Psa 116:16) O Jehovah, truly I am Your servant now; I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid; You have loosed my bonds.
(Psa 116:17) I will sacrifice to You the sacrifice of thanks and will call on the name of Jehovah.
(Psa 116:18) I will pay my vows to Jehovah now in the presence of all His people,
(Psa 116:19) in the courts of the house of Jehovah; in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise Jehovah!
Verses 15 and 16, did you catch it? Hint, crucified with Christ...
God bless,
Gary