A Call Waiting
Good Morning Friends,
Most of the important phone calls we receive now seem to be on our cell phones but then last night we got one on our land line. Initially we thought …oh, just another robo call, but this one was screened as coming from Naples Community Hospital. Amy, my wife, took the call…even though it was originally intended for Stephen, my son.
I listened. It was from a friend in the hospital in need of help. We promised to help. It was a relief for the individual. We as a family were ready to respond and scheduled the help they needed. It is on today’s to do list. It was as if it was something God had prepared for us….. A Call Waiting.
Scripture: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NRSV)
and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Psalm 50:15 (NIV)
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)
Message: The Bible is packed with stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things when they respond to God’s call. But there are also examples of people calling on God in a way that glorifies our Lord when they receive a response. The stories help us in our calling and to realize that the connection needs to be three ways. To communicate there has to be both expressive as well as receptive communication. But to be sanctifying it needs to include a third party. If God refuses to hear you then it does not work. If we refuse the call it does not work. If there is no one to help it does not work. We all have to respond in connection. Perhaps we need God to receive our spirit as Stephen prayed as he was being stoned. Perhaps as Jonah we may want an answer and a voice to bring us out of distress. Perhaps as Elijah we just want answers about what God is doing in the world. Perhaps as Moses our prayer is for mercy so that God’s promise might be fulfilled or as Abraham, Joel and Paul we are moved to call on the name of the Lord seeking the promise of salvation. Friends, there is power in the words, “I need your help.” There is power in prayer put into action. Friends, in the weakness of some and the willingness of others God communicates.
Pray we depend on the true source of all the good in the universe. Pray we call on our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer in times of need. Pray God is glorified in the prompting, the promise and the provision that comes when we call on the name of the Lord and through the family of God there is a response.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 