GOD IS ALWAYS ON-CALL –

David experienced what many believers often encounter; no matter how much he trusted God and wanted to do God’s will, there were times when he took matters in his own hands because he couldn’t wait for God to act. Abraham’s example with Hagar and Ismael was well known; as well as King Saul’s fall from grace when he offered sacrifices instead of waiting for the prophet Samuel to come. David found himself alienated from his people and being punished by God because of his insistence on taking a census of the people when it was strictly forbidden by the Almighty. After being confronted with reality, David realized that the One who judged him was now the only One who could save him.

“O One True God, I’m in deep trouble up to my neck and I need Your help desperately; and as I sink lower and lower in this swamp, I can’t find anything to stand on; I’m about to go under and be swept away by the current. I’m so exhausted from yelling that my throat has become hoarse and my eyes are bloodshot from the stress of waiting for my One True God to answer. All because the number people who despise me and are trying to get rid of me have increased so tremendously that I can’t count them anymore. O my One True God, I know You are fully aware of my foolishness because I cannot conceal from You what I did wrong. Yet, even though I feel depressed because I’m in such misery, O One True God, I still want Your encouragement to give me hope. Then I can sing songs in celebration, O One True God, for who You are, and give You all the thanks You deserve. That will please You more than if I try to impress You with multiple pledges and offerings. I want those who are down and out, and those who look to You for help to see how this works; how You respond and refuse to ignore those who really need You.” Psalm 69:1-5, 29-33

Reflection: While serving as chaplain on-call one night at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, my beeper woke me up around 2 AM. I called the number and a nurse in the trauma center asked me to come quickly; a patient brought in after a terrible traffic accident wanted to see a chaplain. I rushed through the emergency section and found a young man with doctors huddled around him lying mangled and bloody on the operating room table. When the doctors saw me they drew back to let me get near him. With fear and pain showing in his eyes he struggled to tell me how he once went to church and lived a good life as a Christian, but after becoming a truck driver he drifted away from what he believed and fell into a very sinful life-style. He planned to repent one day but kept putting it off. So he believed that God used this accident as a way of getting his attention, and he wanted desperately to make things right with God. I asked him if he saw the impact coming and he nodded “Yes.” So then I asked what his thoughts were at that particular moment. With fear filling his eyes as he replied, “I yelled, ‘O God, save me!’” I bent over to be nearer to him, and while holding his hand I brushed blood-soaked hair away from his forehead. Then with all the tenderness and compassion God poured into my heart I said to him, “I can tell you, God heard your prayer.” Then together we prayed for reconciliation and God’s assurance of acceptance. As I stepped back to let the doctors try and save him; with tears streaming down his cheeks he looked up at me and with a peaceful smile on his face whispered, “Thank you Chaplain….” For David, his dilemma was not caused by an accident, but by disobedience. So in his moment of despair he called out to God for understanding and mercy. We don’t know if prophets or priests were on-call in those days, but we do know that God sent an angel to David, letting him know that He did indeed hear his prayer. I’m certain that God doesn’t respond to His children out of pity or because of moral pressure, but out of a compassionate, loving, and caring heart. Since God was willing to listen to David’s plea and the prayer of that young man in the trauma center, I’m sure He’ll hear your prayer as well. Just remember, God went to great expense to save you, and He’s not about to lose you without a fight. – Dr. Robert R Seyda