Where Is He When We Need him?

The night was so dark that even the stars were hidden behind the clouds. The winds were so fierce and the rains so heavy that it was nearly impossible to see. A chaplain noticed a young sailor trying to hide behind the ship’s guns where there was a dim light. Trying to comfort him, the Chaplain opened his New Testament to John 3:16 and asked him to read that verse. He wanted to talk to him about God. “For God so loved the world,” he began reading quietly, “that He gave His only forgotten Son.”

Many of us frequently forget the Lord, His Word and His works until we need His help. This happened to the people of Israel. In fact, the Psalmist reminds us of this in two simple words that all of us, unfortunately, can relate to: “They forgot.”

Often when we face a crisis it is easy to focus on the crisis rather than the Christ who can guide and guard us through it safely if we will only allow Him. We think of everything that we can do rather than what He can do. So we delay calling on Him. More than we can realize He is waiting to hear our voice. He wants to comfort and care for us, strengthen and sustain us. But we choose to tackle the task by ourselves – believing that we can live life without Him. Then, when we realize that we are helpless we turn to Him and, as always, He responds. Perhaps He allows us to “try it” on our own and fail just so He can remind us of our weakness and His enduring love.

His promise? “Call to me and I will answer you…” And again, “I will never leave you nor forsake you!” 

Prayer: How foolish we are, Father, to ever forget that You are always present waiting and wanting to help us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture for Today: Psalm 106:13 But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.