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Is This As Good as It Gets?
Experience the Lasting Change You Long For, A Study of the Book of Titus

A five-week study beginning July 28 in the FREE First 5 mobile app.

You were made for more than just going through the motions.
More than checking off items on a Christian “to-do” list. More than chasing perfection. More than showing up with a smile while secretly feeling stuck or spiritually dry.

In the often overlooked book of Titus, we find hope for real, lasting change — not by doing more but by letting God do what only He can: transform us from the inside out through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Today’s Teaching

The Do's and Don'ts of Distress

Katy McCown

Day: 25 | Plan: Jonah 2025

Start Here: Psalm 118

Key Verse: Psalm 118:5 (ESV) "Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free."

Major Moment: The psalmist called upon the Lord in distress and was given freedom.

As we made our way down the dark road, the number seemed to taunt us: 5 ... 4 ... 3 ...

My car needed gas. My daughter and I weren't sure if we'd have the fuel to make it to the gas station. I told her to get my phone and pull up Daddy Pat's number. With my husband out of town, I knew just who would be our distress call if we found ourselves stranded: my father-in-law. As we drove, she held the phone, ready to press the "call" button.

We made it to the gas station that night, but we were still glad we knew who to call for help. In today's passage, we read about how one psalmist, much like Jonah, called on the Lord in his distress (Jonah 2:2; Psalm 118:5). Interestingly, it appears the psalmist looked for answers in other places before he called on the Lord, but he ultimately trusted God's justice and love ... a lesson Jonah was still learning at the end of his story in Scripture.

Whereas Jonah's enemies repented in Nineveh (Jonah 3:5), the writer of Psalm 118:10-12 said his enemies "surrounded" him "on every side ... surrounded [him] like bees." The repetition here emphasizes a seemingly hopeless situation; however, the psalmist cried out for God's justice and chose to "rejoice and be glad" in surrender to His will (Psalm 118:24). Meanwhile, Jonah chose anger in response to God's mercy (Jonah 3:10-4:1).

With this in mind, let's look at two do's and don'ts from Psalm 118 that can help us in our times of distress:

1. Do: Call on the Lord. Don't: Trust in anyone or anything else.

Psalm 118:8-9 contrasts taking refuge in the Lord with having confidence in human power or "princes." Scholars note that a modern-day equivalent for princes could be influential people or authorities in our lives. When someone has resources, strength or power, we can be inclined to call on them for immediate relief from our struggles. However, the psalmist declared that no matter what we face, it's best to call on the Lord first; then we will have no need to fear because He is "on [our] side" (Psalm 118:5-6).

2. Do: Receive and repent. Don't: Run or resent.

Like when Jonah prayed, "You cast me into the deep" (Jonah 2:3), the psalmist cited discipline from the Lord Himself as a reason for his distress in Psalm 118:18. But the psalmist allowed God's discipline to move him toward the Lord.

Sometimes when we find ourselves in distress, we can feel like we're in trouble with God. Consequently, instead of learning what He wants to teach us and repenting of what is truly keeping us bound, we may stop talking to Him altogether or become resentful (Jonah 4:1-3). But the psalmist gives us an example of leaning into the presence of the Lord and receiving His discipline as an act of love. This ultimately frees us and brings us closer to Him (Hebrews 12:6).

The next time we're in need, before we call on something or someone limited, let's call out to the Lord. Instead of moving away from Him, let's run toward Him and receive all He has for us.

And let us always rejoice as we remember:

The Lord is good. His steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 118:1).

The Lord is on our side. He is our Helper (Psalm 118:6-7).

Prayer: Dear God, as I reflect on the words of this psalm, I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness in my heart. Thank You for being on my side. Thank You for answering me when I call. Thank You for Christ's victory over death and sin, and thank You for extending this gift of freedom and salvation to me. In Jesus' name, amen.

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