Is God Your First Call in Times of Need?

March 08, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:3-4

The first phone number children learn is 911. Parents want their children to know who to call in case of an emergency. As a child, I can remember magnets with 911 on payphones, tv ads, etc. We were never to forget that number, so we saw it everywhere. Why? Because one could call 911 at any time of day or night and reach the help needed for any emergency.

While the psalmist for today did not have a phone or 911, he did know to whom he should cry out in every emergency – the Lord God was the only one could truly help and was available day and night. Could the Israelites look to each other in times of need? Yes. If they needed spiritual advice, they could seek out a priest or mentor. If they needed flour for bread, they could ask a neighbor. Seeking help from family and friends was not wrong. However, God alone offered the source of perfect wisdom, power, and resources. He alone neither slumbered nor slept. Only God could fully understand the depth of need, the situation, and the individual. No one but God had access to every resource in heaven and on earth. While God created humankind to be interdependent upon one another, he was the ultimate source of help in times of trouble.

Praise God that his ways are higher than our ways. Praise God that though he is over all things, he cares about the details of our lives. Praise God that he is never too busy for us, and always stands ready to hear our cries and to help us.

It is hard to fathom the greatness of God, hard to understand his lack of limitations because we have so many. Yet, it is these very qualities of the Lord that make him perfectly trustworthy. He is so unlike us! We will fail -- fail ourselves and fail each other. God will never fail; he will never forsake. He does not live within the limitations that we do. The Lord alone is worthy of your trust and hope!

Reflection:

Do you acknowledge these attributes of the Lord? Do you live with the confidence that God is all powerful and is also ever watchful, that he is the one who will never fail you nor forsake you? The Lord loves you and stands ready to hold you steady through every trial you face. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New - The Bible promises that those who are in Christ are "new creatures." But how does that transformation take place? This unique Easter-season small group Bible study provides a space in which we can discover what it truly means to live a new life. As we listen, we'll learn how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything - for us. Begin the journey to new life today!