Cry Out in the City

In Deuteronomy chapter 22 verse 24, it says

Then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he humbled his neighbor’s wife.

This may seem harsh, but God is showing us something spiritual through this. Both the man and the woman were guilty, but their reasons were different. The man humbled his neighbor’s wife. But the woman’s guilt was because she did not cry out. In the city, there are people nearby. If she had cried out, someone could have come to help her.

This shows us something very important. When we are in the city, inside the church, God has placed people around us who can help. Brothers, sisters, pastors, friends. But Satan works in the heart, and many times he tries to isolate us. He tells us to keep quiet. To hide. To figure it out on our own. And when we don’t cry out, when we don’t speak, Satan begins to lead us into deeper darkness.

But listen. The moment we cry out, the moment we open our heart, light begins to enter. That’s why God placed us in the church. Not to be perfect. But to have fellowship. To be able to say what’s going on inside. To receive help. To return to God’s heart.

Many people think, “I have sinned, so I am a sinner.” But when they come to the church, when they open their hearts, we show them something greater. That Jesus has already washed their sin away. That He has made them righteous. That they are holy forever.

The woman in the city was not judged just for what happened. She was judged for not crying out. What about you? If Satan is working in your thoughts, if you feel trapped or discouraged or condemned, cry out. Don’t keep it to yourself. That’s why God gave you the church. That’s why He gave you fellowship. That’s why He gave you His Word. I pray that people all over the world will no longer be led by the thoughts of Satan, but that they will cry out and be led by the heart of God.