In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!”. Yet You heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help. —Psalm 31:22 NIV

During Antarctica’s 9 month long winter, the continent is engulfed in darkness and the temperature sinks to -82 °C. Flights are halted from late February to November, leaving workers at scattered research stations isolated and virtually cut off from outside help. Yet during 2001, two daring rescue missions penetrated the polar winter and airlifted people with serious medical conditions to safety.

We all feel helpless and cut off at times. It may seem that not even God can hear or answer our cries for help. This was the psalmist David’s fear in a time of trouble: “I am cut off from Your sight!” Yet he discovered that the Lord had not forgotten him and was able to rejoice: “You heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help” (Psalm 31:22 NIV).

What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopeless today? Poor health? Broken relationships? A family member in great need? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances. We are never cut off from the mighty power and sustaining peace of God.

—David C. McCasland