In Case of Emergency

"In the day of my trouble I call upon You,

for You answer me.”—Psalm 86:6

Anyone who has small children, or has lived in the United States for any period of time knows the number 911. It’s the number we call in case of emergency. And, if we call that number, we know help is on the way.

What do you do in case of emergency? Where do you go? Whom do you call? What do you do when tragedy strikes? Where do you turn in times of trouble?  Today’s passage is meant for anyone going through a time of crisis.

David, the author of this Psalm knew what to do in case of emergency—call on God. We don’t know the background of this Psalm precisely, but the things mentioned in it could fit several situations in David’s life. The important thing to notice is that whenever he faced a time of crisis, he called on God and expected Him to answer. Rarely do we expect God to actually answer us when we call. We can’t comprehend that God, the Creator of the entire universe, would care enough to listen to our pleas and petitions—but He does. He listens to our cries, because we are His children and called by His name. As the Psalmist declared, “Yet He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make known His mighty power”—Psalm 106:8.

God delights in answering the cries of His children, as Jesus said, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”—Matthew 7:11.

Where do you go in times of trouble? Do you go to God? If not, where do you turn? Do you turn to yourself? Or to the God that sent His Son to die for you? The Scripture is clear that you are to cast “…all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you”—1 Peter 5:7. Do you believe that God will answer you? Do you trust in His precious promises of compassion and concern? Call on God and He will answer. It doesn’t matter what the situation, God will show Himself to be God on your behalf, just as He did with David. Trust in Him and He will enable you to experience the pure and unadulterated joy of your deliverance. It doesn’t matter what the situation; God is for us. As Paul wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”—Romans 8:31. If you are in Christ, then His Spirit dwells in you. And if He dwells in you, then you can stand in the truth of God’s word which declares that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”—1 John 4:4.

Keep your eye on the Lord! When Peter kept his eye on the Lord he was able to walk on water. It was when he started looking at the waves around him that he started to sink. If you find yourself sinking as Peter did, reach out your hand and call to Jesus saying, “Lord, save me”—Matthew 14:30. Know that Jesus will answer.  He may not answer in the way we expect, but He will answer.  Don’t doubt in the promises contained in His word. Trust in Him, call out to Him, and He will deliver you. Amen.