Familiar words: “Call somebody and get it fixed.” But who do I call?
On my way to the Yellow Pages, I’m thinking about the
nature of the problem. I don’t call a carpet layer if the roof is leaking. I
don’t call a plumber if my stove is not working.
As I find the right category of help, then there is
the issue of picking the right somebody. Will it be someone in my part of town?
Someone well-known? Someone we have relied on prior to this particular problem?
Calling somebody to get it fixed isn’t always easy. It certainly isn’t as easy
as prayer.
Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. (Psalm 106:8)
In today’s final entry using this verse, Ralph Erskine
writes about calling on God when I have needs or problems. I don’t resort to
the Yellow Pages, but it does help to figure out the nature of the problem.
However, at times, I just cry out “help me” and know that He hears that call
and knows what I need.
The Lord God saved me for His name’s sake, and God has
many names. Because of who He is, I can admire His goodness and praise His name
for His mercy, truth, faithfulness and so great a salvation.
All that is true and helpful for praise, yet He has a
name that suits every plea for help. If I need wonders to be performed, His
name is Wonderful. If I need counsel and direction, His name is Counselor. If I
have big problems, then His name is Almighty God. If I need fatherly pity, His
name is Everlasting Father. When I need peace — external, internal, or eternal
— His name is the Prince of Peace. If I need healing, His name is
Jehovah-Rophi, the Lord who heals.
I always need goodness to fill my lack of it, and His
name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness. Whenever I need defense
and protection, His name is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our banner. If I need provision
in any extreme way, His name is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide.
Some needs require asking yet a few are always met
without asking — the need of His presence, for example. His name is
Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there and Immanuel, God with us. He will never
leave me or forsake me.
I can count on Him to listen also, because His name is
the Hearer of prayer. I can rely on Him when I am weak (which is all the time)
because His name is the Strength of Israel. He will comfort me because His name
is the Consolation of Israel and shelter me because His name is the City of
Refuge.
If I have nothing and need everything, then He is my
All in All. He has a name suitable to supply all that I need. He has wisdom to
guide me, power to keep me, mercy to pity me, truth to shield me, holiness to
sanctify me, righteousness to justify me, grace to bless me, and glory to crown
me. I can trust in Him because He saves for His name’s sake.
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