Dial 000

Answer me, Lord, in the goodness of your constant love;
in your great compassion turn to me!
Don’t hide yourself from your servant;
I am in great trouble – answer me now!
Come to me and save me;
rescue me from my enemies. (verses 16-18)

Read Psalm 69:7-18

I don’t think there could be anything worse than making a 000 call and then having to wait for the Search and Rescue Team to arrive. You would feel helpless, not knowing what to do. And then, if you did do something you would wonder if it was the right thing. You would also be in shock yourself. Nevertheless, we are fortunate there is something that we can call on in times of emergency. We can dial 000 from anywhere. The Search and Rescue teams are at the end of the phone. The wait may be agonising, but we would be ever so glad to see the team arrive and take the situation under control. Think what it would be like if you were not near a phone or a mobile. How would you feel then?

We don’t only have the 000 call for the Search and Rescue team. We have something even better than that. We don’t have to look for a phone or reach for our mobile. Our God, who loves us, is there constantly. God hears each cry of ours and is aware of our plight even before we call. He is merciful and full of compassion. We don’t have to wait for him to come. He is always near to us, and he has promised to hear us and rescue us.

Thank you, God, that you are always near to us. You never leave us nor forsake us. Because of your great love and mercy, you are always ready to hear us and rescue us. Amen.

by Merna Thamm, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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