In a hurry to finish shopping before leaving on a trip, I scanned items in my shopping cart at the self-service checkout. Before I could complete the transaction, the machine malfunctioned.
 
Oh, great. I don’t need this right now.

Then, a message appeared on the screen: “Help is on the way.”

Good. Someone would come to my rescue. But no one came. Impatient, I stepped over to the Customer Service counter, but as I did so, a store associate approached. She greeted me with a smile, typed a code into the machine, and, voila, my issue was resolved. I was thankful for her help and made it home in time to leave on our trip.   

Help is on the way.  If God responded to my concerns with a text message or note on my computer, I imagine him typing a message like this. But, of course, electronic technology isn't required for God to communicate with us—or us with Him. He is only a prayer away—and our hearts become the "email" receptacle for answers to prayer.   

Presently, much help is needed in the state where I live, for a rapidly spreading wildfire has put mountain communities in great danger. Some residents have been forced to evacuate. Hundreds of  firefighters are risking their health and lives to do all they can to keep the fire from destroying homes and structures.    

In times of great need, people often come together to support one another. But, in disastrous situations, some may ask,  “How could God allow this to happen?" The same question could be asked about other ills of the world that make us fearful, anxious, or angry, such as poverty, war, drugs, crime, or terrorism.       

The God of Creation, who made the universe and everything in it, never intended for our world to become a place of chaos, devastation, or suffering. Unfortunately, many of the ills that have taken place throughout history have been tied to human undertaking and sin. There are other things that happen for which we do no have answers. However, for the believer, trust is place in the One who is in charge of creation.      
 
Despite the ills of the world, we have a God who is larger than any problem or disaster we face. No matter what happens, the Bible tells us that God promises never to leave us or forsake us. 
 
1 Corinthians 12 shows we are part of the body of Christ. “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

As God’s people, as the body of Christ, we act together as one to lift our hands in service to help others in times of need. God comes to the rescue, for through His guidance, He helps us navigate the challenges set before us.

Indeed, help is on the way!

Whether we are dealing with something as small as an issue in a checkout line, or whether we are confronted by the devastation of wildfires or other natural disasters, we may feel our faith is being tested. But God's Word tells us not to fear and to trust Him. Having this faith, we are assured that whatever happens, He will always be with us and He comes to our rescue. His  guidance is just a prayer away.  
                                                                       <><<><<><
 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
“The Lord is my helper.” – Hebrews 13:6
“For the Lord God helps me.” – Isaiah 50:7
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:2
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

Photo: N. Johnson  - Wildfire close to where we traveled (following the delay at the supermarket).   

In the countryside, a stable hand unlatches the gate of each animal stall in the barn and calls each by name. The horses and donkeys eagerly retreat from their stalls. They know the routine, as they follow one another into the pasture to eat. There, they are free to run, play, and graze.

They trust their master and know she will provide for their needs. From the time she was a little girl, this is the work she has always wanted to do. She watches out for the animals while they are in the pasture. Later, she gathers them back into the barn into their respective stalls for safekeeping at night. 

In a forested area on a mountain ridge, before the chill of Fall slips into a blanket of Winter, a Native shepherd leads his sheep down the mountain to a lower elevation. There, they can thrive safely for the winter. The shepherd smiles. As the son of a sheep herder, he knows it is an honor to do this work. He loves and cares for his sheep.

Ah, pasturelands! What images form in your mind when you think of this word? (Perhaps Psalm 23 comes to mind?). The thought of laying down in green pastures—lush grasses nurtured by rich soil and fresh water, would be cooling and refreshing. Then, as you are led to still waters, perhaps you sit and rest. Imagine the serene reflection of blue sky and white clouds that appear in the water as you reflect on the beauty of both earth and sky. And then, as you are spiritually fed and your soul is restored, oh, what great comfort you feel!    

In our busy lives, we yearn for the beauty of creation. Not everyone grows up in the countryside or in forest lands; however, the greenery of trees, bushes, or grasses is often plentiful in our neighborhoods and communities.  

Just as animals have owners or masters, and sheep have shepherds, we have a Shepherd, too. His name is Jesus. He is the Great Shepherd. The Bible tells us that He knows the voice of His sheep—and they know His voice. 

The Great Shepherd knows your every need. He cares for you. And He loves you more than you will ever know! 
 
Psalm 23:1-6
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Photo courtesy of vecteezy.com (Iftikhar Alam)
 
 

Did you ever play with a magnifying glass as a child? Or, place it over a bug to see every detail?

When I was young, I remember watching a large, black beetle emerge from a crevice in our driveway. Wanting to see it up close, I positioned the magnifying glass over it. At first, I thought it was awesome—until I noticed the sharp pinchers and its pointy-looking appendages. Eww! Not what I expected!

Then, I decided to look at gentler things: a butterfly that landed on a branch, a rock in the garden soil, a blade of grass in the yard, and a flower in the garden. But what did I see in the magnifying glass? A  coiled hook on the butterfly’s mouth, divots in the rock, spiny edges on the blade of grass, and a horn-like part on a bee's face coming out of the flower.

One afternoon, while playing in the yard, I got a splinter in my finger. My mother retrieved the magnifying glass. As she placed it over my finger, she pointed out the pattern of tiny swirling lines. “Everyone’s fingerprints are different,” she said. “Do you know that no one else in the world has fingerprints like yours?” I was so amazed by this fact that I hardly noticed it when she removed the splinter.

These days, I still use a magnifying glass on occasion, but I don’t like using it on myself. What do I see? Age spots on my arms. Large pores on the sides of my nose. Tiny lines that accompany the spaces surrounding wrinkles in my face. My adult version of Eww! Not what I wanted, even if expected.   

However, if there was anyone whose life was ever magnified, it was that of Jesus Christ. His enemies scrutinized Him. They magnified every word or action, turned against Him, and twisted their interpretation of who He really was: the Son of God, blameless and without sin.

Talk about magnification: Jesus took with Him the sin of man upon that cross as He gave His life for each of us. 

Sometimes, I wonder what God sees when He looks at me. I start to frown, but am reminded He isn’t looking at me through a magnifying glass. He overlooks every splotch and flaw on the outside of me and every speck of sin on the inside.

As a child of the King, He sees through my flaws. I am comforted beyond measure to know that I am forgiven. 

And He loves me—and He loves YOU!
  

Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com
(Blog adapted from an earlier post)