Who Has the Key?

"My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long? Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love."
Psalm 6: 3 & 4

     The Psalms have a way of speaking directly to a person in need. Imagine how the verses above are like a lifeline to someone who's at the end of their rope.

     Louis Zamperini, whose story unfolds in the new movie release "Unbroken", was already pushed to the limit after surviving a plane crash in the Pacific during World War Two and forty-seven days adrift in a raft. That would have been enough trial for any human to endure, but when his rescuers were the Japanese who then imprisoned him in a POW camp, how would Louis survive this? Cruel and inhumane treatment, ruthless beatings, torture and humiliation continued for two years. Reduced to sixty-eight pounds, stripped of all dignity, he was finally liberated and kissed American soil upon his return after the war's end.

     But the imprisonment did not cease. Held captive by relentless nightmares and ensuing alcoholism, Louis' soul was still in anguish. "How long, O Lord, how long?"

     Second Corinthians 5:17 held the key to Louis' prison cell: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." When Louis gave his life over to Christ, the unfailing love of God and his rich mercies washed over his scarred, bruised soul and made a new creation of him. Now, being forgiven of his sins, he extended this forgiveness to the Japanese captors. This was true deliverance!

     Whatever anguish has captured your soul, look to Jesus today. He is the Creator, the only One, who can make you over into a new creation. He has the key.