November 2

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. — Ps 57:2 BSB

The title “Most High” carries a powerful meaning for me. Prayers from broken hearts in every corner of the world rise up to God Most High. Wherever the Lord has awakened souls, their eyes are fixed on Him, their hearts turned towards Him, and their prayers lifted up to Him. Jesus, sitting in glory as God Most High, hears the sighs and cries of His broken-hearted family, no matter where they are. Not only does He hear their cries, but He also blesses them in ways that match their situation and need.

When do we turn to God Most High? Is it when we are satisfied with ourselves? When the world is smiling on us? When everything is going smoothly, both inside and out? When we think our wisdom, strength, and righteousness are enough for our circumstances? In such times, we may go through the motions of prayer, but there is no real “cry to God Most High.” For that cry to rise, we must come to the point where “refuge fails me; no one cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). This is where the saints of old found themselves—Job on his ash heap, Hezekiah on his sickbed, Hannah at the temple gate. All of them were hopeless, helpless, and without refuge before they cried to God Most High. We, too, must be without refuge and help before we can make that same cry, and before our prayers reach the ears of the Lord Almighty.

“Unto God who performs all things for me.” If God didn’t do something for us, or rather, if God didn’t do everything for us, praying to Him would be pointless. “The Hope of Israel” would be like an idol—unable to hear or respond, like Baal, who couldn’t hear his worshipers' cries because he was either hunting or asleep. But the God of Israel isn’t like these lifeless idols made by human hands; He is the eternal Jehovah, always living to hear and answer the prayers of His people.