I love the Lord because He has heard my appeal for mercy.
2 Because He has turned His ear to me,
I will call out to Him as long as I live.
3 The ropes of death were wrapped around me,
and the torments of Sheol overcame me;
I encountered trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of Yahweh: “Yahweh, save me!”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6 The Lord guards the inexperienced;
I was helpless, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116:1-7 (HCSB)
There was a time in my nursing career when I had to be on call every night for a week. After putting in a full day’s work, it wasn’t easy to be awakened at 2-3 a.m. and respond to a patient and family’s needs in a coherent and cheery manner. And about the 5th or 6th day of this on-call week, I was becoming somewhat sleep deprived. It was a time in my life where my youth was a definite asset.
God is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. God never gets tired or weary (Isaiah 40:28). Do you ever wake up at night with a worry? Call on God in the middle of the night. Give Him the worry. Has a doctor’s office ever called you and asked you to come in to discuss some test results? The fear that grabs you can be overwhelming. Call on God. He is never taken off-guard or by surprise.
If this seems simplistic, it is. Remember that Jesus said that we should have faith like that of a child (Matthew 18:3). What does a child do when they get their head caught in the stairway bannister? What does a child do when they can’t get a door open? “Mom, help me!” “Dad, open the door for me!”
Does God gives us everything we ask for? Do you give your children everything? No, of course not. You do not want to give your child too much candy or allow them to play wherever they want and with anyone and anything they believe is safe. You have a larger perspective than they do and see potential dangers they cannot see with their limited view. God is a better parent than I am. God answers my request in the best way – always. I may not understand and see from God’s view. But when I spend time with God and learn more about Him, my faith, my love for Him grows and I trust Him even when I cannot see.
If you are struggling with a question before God and do not understand the “why” of His answer or maybe you are not even sure He has given you an answer, don’t stop talking to Him. Don’t stop asking Him to listen and speak to you. And maybe that is a good point – stop and be quiet. Listen. Read His Word (like Psalm 116) and listen some more. God isn’t going to give up on you. Don’t give up calling on Him – and listening.
Hear Us From Heaven written by Jared Anderson & sung by Kari Jobe
