When I’m camped on the edge of hell

God, you’re my last chance of the day. I spend the night on my knees before you. Put me on your salvation agenda; take notes on the trouble I’m in. I’ve had my fill of trouble; I’m camped on the edge of hell. I’m written off as a lost cause, one more statistic, a hopeless case. (Psalm 88:1-3 The Message)

Why aren’t we desperate for God when times are good?  Why aren’t we crying out to him when our marriage is great and our kids are healthy and we just got that raise? Why is it not until we have no where else to turn that we cry out to God?

We need to be broken, I get that. I understand that God wants and needs us to break in order for us to trust him and not ourselves. But after that, after we’ve been broken, after we’ve been crushed he’s risen us up from the ashes, why do we allow ourselves to go back into the pit?

God is not a genie. We’re not supposed to put him on a shelf until we need him. This is supposed to be a relationship – a two-way give and take relationship that allows God into our hearts always, not just when we’re backed against a wall.

Cry out to God during the good times. Cry praises to him for the great marriage, for the healthy kids, for the job that pays the bills. Praise him for the good with the same intensity that use when we beg him to dig us out of trouble.

God you are good. You are good all the time, not just when I need you. God, help me learn to praise you and to give you glory for all the good in my life and not only come to you when I need something.