Have you ever needed help and looked around intently, but there was no help in sight? We've all been there. For some reason this inconvenient absence makes us uncomfortable. In these solitary moments we're greeted with, "Please ring bell for service."
So we ring. and wait. And in the same manner like a microwave dings, we expect someone to pop up right away. While we're delayed, we persistently ring, ever more passionately, thinking it might solve our dilemma, when in reality, it just agitates the matter.
A few days ago I was walking by a counter with one of those bells. It brought this thought to mind, "Wouldn't it be nice if there were a bell I could ring to get Gods attention, because I really need Him right now!"
If only He'd interrupt this season of difficulty and make it end!
Let's face it, we all need Gods help, and we always will. Have you ever felt as though He were absent, not around, or not even aware when you need help the most??
Remember that huge storm that was about to overtake the disciples and Jesus was.... sleeping? "Ding...! Ding...! Ding!!
"Just ring the bell louder and harder, perhaps He'll come quicker", "Wake up Jesus! Don't you care that we're perishing"?
Jesus was present on the boat, He never left. But that wasn't the issue. The issue was a lack of faith which surmounted in fear.
I was doing the same thing. Inwardly I was crying out for God's help - no bell, just my alarming thoughts. And during that loud thought process, right there in that store, He told me to write about this. And just like those waves became quiet, my heart responded to His voice. That anxiety subsided and turned into peace.
The giants we face may seem overwhelming, but they are no match for our victorious God - Who resides on the inside of us.
I looked up the word reside, it means -
Have ones permanent home in a particular place; to lodge, live in, stay in, or occupy.
That's amazing!!! He's always home -in us. And...since He never leaves, abandons, or departs, His word is never even paused! It's living, flowing, transforming, and helping us, on a continual basis.
If we abide in the Vine, we'll bear much fruit!
Whoa, even the fruit of PATIENCE? Ha-ha. Yes.
Even when we feel like we're alone, we never are. We have the promised Holy Spirit, the Helper Himself on stand by.
Instead of picturing abandonment, we can picture Jesus always wearing His favorite shirt, that reads..."Ever Present Help." :)
Psalm 46...
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, thought the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts up his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done... it goes on to say...
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
We're not actually waiting on God to do something. "It is finished". We're simply waiting on ourselves - to grow up in faith. As we dwell in the tabernacle of His presence, we will mature and become stronger.
Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
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