---A Very Present Help

--"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"
--[Psalm 46:1]

---When I was in grade school, we had roll call every morning. As each name we responded with "here" or "present." Imagine how quickly heads would have tuned if someone had said "very present." Imagine how quickly heads would have turned if someone had said, "very resent." How can someone be very present? A person is either present or not present. Yet todays key verse says that God is "a very present help in trouble."

--A 9-1-1 operator can be a help in trouble after he knows about a emergency he dispatches someone immediately to the scene A lifeguard is a present help. He is on the scene scanning the water for signs of danger or distress as soon as he recognizes a need, he goes to the person's aid as quickly as possible

When I think of a "very present help", a parent hovering over a small child as he takes some of his first steps The father or mother is completely focused on the child a and his experience-- ready to catch him at any moment, and his experience -- That is the type of God we serve; an ever-present, ever-caring Father in the lives of His children. Does that mean He will never let anything harmful come to us. No. A child who never suffers bumps and bruises is not well prepared to face real life. God in His infinite wisdom knows that we too need too experience difficulties to grow in Him. But we can face those difficulties with the assurance that He, our Creator, is in control and, caring presence who has promised, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

--Because my God is everywhere
And hears and answers every prayer;
I cast on Him my every care.

--BSE/JJ