Walking past my barn one day, I heard a frantic chirping inside. When I investigated, I found a poor blue jay beating its wings against the window. Had it not cried and chirped, I would not have heard, but its cry for help prompted me to come, open the door wide, and allow it to fly out to freedom.

God's children get themselves into some unusual places and unhappy circumstances. Consider the following incidents:

• Jonah in a fish's belly, running from God (Jon. 2:1).
• David in enemy territory, acting insane (1 Sam. 21:10-15).
• Abram in Egypt, lying about his wife (Gen. 12:10-13).
• Lot in Sodom, living with the wicked (Gen. 13:12-13).
• Elijah in the desert, wallowing in self-pity (1 Ki. 19:4).
• Peter in a courtyard, denying his Lord (Lk. 22:55-62).

God's children should not be found in such circumstances, but all too often they are.

Are you in a place you shouldn't be today? Are you far from God, feeling defeated, trapped, and unhappy? Then cry out to the Lord, confess your sin, and be restored by His abundant mercy (1 Jn. 1:9). He is waiting to hear your cry of repentance.  — M.R. De Haan