Psalm 17:1-9
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.
3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love…
God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!
I was driving back home to Tiffin by myself. My Mom had died that morning with all of her family holding her. As I made the turn from Rt. 30 onto CR100, something inside me broke. I began to scream and cry while I was trying to keep the car on the road. Seconds later, my phone rang. It was my dear friend, Jamie. At the sound of his voice, my mind cleared and I was able to concentrate on driving again.
“How did you know to call me at that moment?” “A weird-looking dove flew over my desk with a note tied to its foot that said call Beth right now.”
When I think of God’s steadfast love, my thoughts turn to all those times when God has sent help at just the right moment. Sometimes it’s a phone call – sometimes a chance meeting with an old friend – sometimes an encounter with a stranger who says just the right thing. Sometimes it’s a sunset, or a cardinal at the birdfeeder, or a song on the radio. Sometimes it’s just an overwhelming flood of peace where no peace is possible. When God sends help, it’s unmistakable.
And then there are those times when God sends us in response to someone else’s cry for help. Sometimes we’re aware of what’s happening. Most of the time, we remain blissfully unaware of the wondrous things that God is doing in and through our faithfulness.
Prayer: Lord God: Thank you for sending help when I need it. Use me to help others wherever you need me. AMEN