Read Luke 11:5-13*
In the old days, all
telephone calls were operator assisted.
If there was an emergency, a person simply told the operator to get them
the police or an ambulance or fire station or the corner grocer for that
emergency diet coke. The operator
connected them to the resource needed.
In 1937, United Kingdom developed a way to direct dial immediate
assistance. The number was 999. When it
first came over to Canada, they too used 999.
In 1958 the US decided they too needed a single emergency number. It took them 10 years (!) to come up with
911. Easy to remember, less likely to be
accidently dialed. In 1972, Canada switched from 999 to 911. 911 has become
synonymous with “I NEED HELP NOW!” A 911
friend is one who is available whenever for whatever.
Availability
means we care enough to pay attention to what is going on in their lives and
pay the cost of getting involved at the point of need. There is always a cost involved. The currency of availability is consistently
time and effort. It may involve hands on help, abilities or at least a
willingness to try, material resources (money, food, something big or something
quite small), a listening ear, a word of encouragement, and the list goes
on. A 911 friend is interested, engaged
and involved. All that you are, all that you have and all you can do are
lovingly made available.
In
the above Bible reading, the man’s friend was a reluctant 911 friend. The man went to his friend because his need
was important and his friend had what he needed. Though it wasn’t convenient, and came with a
sacrifice, the friend finally got up and met that need. Some 911 friends are better than others. It is all about a willingness to put grace
ahead of comfort, convenience and cost.
The
ultimate 911 friend is Jesus. He invites you to call any time, anywhere. He is
always available. You don’t need a phone. No
hoops to jump through. Just call out. “Lord” works; so does “help,” as does a
deep groan or even a silent cry. All you have to do
is make that faith connection.
When you call on Jesus, you
can be assured that ...
- “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
- Your admitting that you have a need never surprises Him. “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8
- He is “an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
- He has everything you need. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” Romans 11:36
- He will willingly give you what is needed. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32
- He can do everything that needs to be done. “I know that [He] can do all things, and that no purpose of [His] can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
However, you need to ask. James 4:2
says, “You do not
have because you do not ask.” The Lord knows if
He is just an option, rather than the real source of meeting your 911 need. Willingness to ask is about your admitting your
dependency on God.
The invitation is
extended. The line is open. The Lord is
standing by waiting to help. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne
of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:16) This confidence comes from knowing that the
Lord is your willing and able 911 friend.
Making It Personal
What does being available mean to
you?
The Lord’s describes His offer of
availability in His invitation for you to call on Him. What does He promise to do
in the following verses?
What does it mean to you that Jesus
is your ultimate 911 friend?
What role does faith play in
accessing all He offers to make available to you?
A 911 operator connects the one in
need with the resources needed. The Lord often meets needs by connecting us to
others and others to us.
How has God used others to meet your
911 needs?
How has He used you to meet the 911
needs of others?
What role does faith and partnering
with God play in true availability as a 911 resource?
* For another devotion on this
passage see Knock, Knock, Who’s There? in the July 2010 Archive (or click on title for a direct link).
