Psalm 50:15 (NIV) “And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

I had the opportunity to travel with a singing group to Taiwan where we were doing some evangelism meetings. In-between meetings we were able to go on a tour of some of the areas of Taiwan, which included a visit to a Buddhist temple. Buddhist temples feature a large number of deities. As we made our way around the temple, we witnessed people offering food items to very large, imposing and frightening idols representing different gods. The people looked worried and afraid, and looked like they were begging whatever idol they were kneeling before for help. It was a very sad thing to witness because these “gods” don’t care about them and don’t even exist. They go there with just a small hope and a prayer that perhaps that god will consent to give them what they are asking for. There is no relationship to be had, no worship, no interaction, no blessing, no joy, no peace, no anything!

How totally different it is with the one true God and His people. First of all, He calls us His children. Second, He loves us with a love that is so deep that it is not possible to understand it completely. Third, He is not waiting for one of His children to get so desperate that they will take the chance to go to Him in fear to ask for what they need. He doesn’t want us to be afraid of Him or to think that He doesn’t want us to come. As a matter of fact, besides the scripture above where He invites us to come to Him for help, there is a verse of scripture that tells us that before we even ask, He is ready to answer our prayers (Isaiah 65:24). He also doesn’t let us wonder whether He will help us or not. He tells us right off the bat that He absolutely will deliver us in time of trouble. It’s His promise.

When you look at how other people live with either no god at all or worse yet, with false gods, it makes the treasure of what we have in Jesus look all the more invaluable, if that were even possible. Let’s never take for granted the incredible and miraculous gift that we have in a God that wants a relationship with us and that is forever watching over us, and not just when we are in trouble. Then when trouble does come, He is immediately there to either bring us out or bring us through, while walking right beside us. Not only that, but He is a God that not only walks with us, but that has made it possible to dwell in us! Those poor souls in that Buddhist temple who finally made their way out looked as sad and hopeless as they had been when they went in. We live rejoicing every day that our God is with us through thick and thin and will always help us and be on our side. Let’s be thankful for our God who is immediately there when we need Him, and who is always there the rest of the time!

Pastor Joey Vazquez