MAY 29
Psalm 107
Psalm 107:6,13,19,28, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble.”
Just as 911 dispatch is a vital lifeline in moments of crisis, Psalm 107 reveals that God is our ultimate responder in times of need. Emergency personnel respond to a wide range of situations—car accidents, fires, medical emergencies, crime situations, and natural disasters. With urgency, they assess each call and coordinate the right response, often providing life-saving instructions before help arrives. In much the same way, Psalm 107 paints a picture of people in various life emergencies—spiritual, emotional, and physical—crying out for help. And every time, God hears and acts.
The psalm describes four types of people in deep trouble: those who were lost and wandering, those imprisoned in darkness because of rebellion, those suffering because of their sinful choices, and those overwhelmed by life’s storms. Each group had reached the end of themselves. And yet, when they cried out to the Lord, He responded. God led the lost to safety, broke the chains of the imprisoned, healed the sick, and calmed the sea for the storm-tossed. These are not just stories of the past—they are pictures of how God still works today. No matter the cause of our trouble—whether it’s our own fault or circumstances beyond our control—God is ready to deliver when we call.
Psalm 107 is a call to cry out. It reminds us that we don’t need to have it all together before we reach for help. Whether you feel spiritually lost, trapped in sin, burdened by pain, or overwhelmed by chaos, God hears your cry. Like a faithful dispatcher, He knows exactly what’s needed and moves with mercy and power. The repeated refrain of the psalm says it all: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.” That promise still holds true. When you call, God answers. When you cry, He delivers. They then have good reasons to give thanks (v. 8, 15, 21, 31).
“The mercy of God is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.” — Charles Spurgeon
Application Questions: When have you found yourself in a place of distress—lost, bound, broken, or overwhelmed—and how did you respond? Did you cry out to God, or try to handle it alone? Just as emergency responders act quickly when called, how can you grow in your trust that God will respond when you cry out to Him—and how might that change the way you pray in times of trouble?
Author: looking2jesus13
Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries.
After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year.
Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley.
International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith.
Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully.
Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.
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