When I was growing up, our family lived in a rural area on Stafford Road out toward Wilsonville, Oregon. When my older brother was a teenager, he decided to volunteer with the Wilsonville Volunteer Fire Department. At the same time, he was interested in muscle cars and had one of his own. I always knew when my brother’s car was running; when the engine turned on, it shook the ground, it shook the house, and it reverberated in my chest. Sometimes, I would be awakened in the night by the sound of that car roaring to life and racing down the driveway. On those occasions, there would be some assurance in my heart that my brother was going off in response to a cry for help. He was on his way to help someone in need.

Another memory from that period of my life is riding the school bus into Wilsonville. Our route took us past the Volunteer Fire Department, and once in a while we would hear the sirens as we came around the corner, and then we would see lights flashing. There was a grocery store across the street from the station, and when timed just right, we would see the butcher run out and race across the road untying his apron as he went. As a volunteer, he was in a hurry, because help was needed and help was coming. 

It is one thing to be aware of someone else having a bad day. It is something entirely different to be the one in distress. When we are in that position and hear a siren off in the distance, there is a sense of reassurance in knowing it is coming for us—help is on the way.

In Psalm 34:6, we read words penned by David after he fled for his life from King Saul. He said, “This poor man cried.” This simple statement could have been used to sum up so many situations in David’s life, and if he had stopped right there, it would have been lamentable. However, he went on to write, “and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Today, if you are in any trouble, in any distress, or if the cares of life are weighing on you, God is listening. He hears when you cry out to Him, and help is on the way!   

When life goes wrong

In Psalm 107, many scenarios are presented in which life has gone wrong; things have not turned out the way people wanted. At the same time, the idea is introduced over and over that all one has to do in times of trouble is cry out to the Lord, and help will come.

One scenario begins in verse 11, which says, “Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High.” That is where things went wrong—they rebelled. When we know what is right to do and decide we are not going to do it, the Holy Spirit will tell us we need to live God’s way. If we say, “I’m going to live my way,” that is rebellion, and that is sin.

The next verse states, “Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.” That is exactly where sin will lead a person. This may be where you are right now, but you don’t have to stay there. Verse 13 says, “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.” If you realize that your sinful choices have brought you to a place you would rather not be and you want deliverance, just cry out to God. You will find that help is on the way.

The greatest rescue mission

The greatest rescue mission in history took place on Calvary. Jesus gave His life so we could be forgiven and freed from sin. The Bible tells us in Hebrews chapter 2 that He “was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (verse 9). Jesus tasted death for you and me. He went to the Cross to rescue us, to deliver us from sin.    

Everyone born into this world is born in sin and needs rescuing. Further on in Hebrews 2 we read, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (verses 14-15). Sin is bondage. You might think you are in control, but you are a servant to sin. You are a slave to the enemy of your soul. God wants to deliver you, but you must cry out to Him in repentance.  

When God delivers you, it is not just from poor decisions or habits. Jesus didn’t die on the Cross to make your sin problem a little less bad than it is now. Salvation is not a tamping down of sin. Jesus died to liberate you and give you a whole new life! His purpose in dying and rising again on the third day was not simply to give the devil a black eye, but “that he might destroy him.” Jesus wants to destroy the sin that is in you and transform your life. Don’t settle for signing a card, shaking someone’s hand, and going on your way unchanged, still bound by your sins. Jesus promises something better. He offers complete deliverance from sin and a whole new life. He offers victory!

Heaven’s call center

Jesus is ready and able to help you. Hebrews 2:18 states, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” The word “succour” in the English was originally a military term, meaning “to send in reinforcements.” In this verse, it is translated from the Greek word boétheó, which means “to run in the direction of an urgent cry for help.” This is an illustration of what Jesus does. When we go to the altar of prayer and say, “Lord, help me,” He responds. Right then, help is on the way.  

Over the course of my life, I’ve had some negative experiences with call centers. Perhaps you have too. Usually, the instructions for obtaining support include the statement that operators are standing by to take the call. Yet, when I call the number, there is no immediate response. I may get a busy signal or a recorded message, and it occurs to me that possibly the operators are “standing-by” less than suggested. When I do get through, many times the person answering seems surprised by my problem. My call gets put on hold, transferred to another department, or referred to a supervisor.

You will never have an experience like that with Jesus. Your prayers will never be met with a busy signal. God will not be surprised by your problem or tell you that you’ve reached the wrong department. When you bring your burdens to Him, your prayer goes exactly where it is supposed to go. You won’t have to ask for a supervisor, because Jesus is the Supervisor, and He is able to do something for you.

God is waiting to hear from you. He wants you to bring all your burdens to Him. If you are not saved, you are facing life’s trials alone and missing out on victory over sin and the hope of Heaven. It isn’t that all your troubles will stop after you give your heart to the Lord. Day by day, situations will continue to arise and the cares of life will still come. However, God has promised to be with you and He will help and sustain you. Whether you are seeking salvation or are already a child of God, take your needs to Him. He will meet you at the altar of prayer and bring you through. Cry out to God today.

Jesus meets every need

When we reach out to those around us for help, we don’t always get the help we really need. Fellow believers, family, and friends mean well, but as humans, we are limited in what we can do for each other. One time, I needed some work done at my house. Someone came out to do the job, but it wasn’t until his seventh trip that he had the right equipment and tools to do what was needed. With Jesus, He knows exactly what type of help we need, and He is equipped to provide it.   

The words “merciful” and “faithful” in Hebrews 2:17 bring to mind the gentle Shepherd that we see depicted in paintings of Jesus carrying a lamb. As our Shepherd, Jesus protects, guides, and provides for us. Sometimes, this is the help that we need.

However, there will be moments in life, as we are doing our best to serve the Lord, where we will encounter fierce trials. In those circumstances, we don’t so much need the gentle Jesus as we do the Captain of Salvation who has never lost a battle (see Hebrews 2:10). We need Someone with the power to overcome any adversity and win the victory. This Jesus is described in Revelation 1:14-16. The Apostle John said, “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we can be assured that when we cry out to Jesus, the help we need is on the way.

A match for every situation

When John saw Jesus in all His glory, he fell down at His feet as if dead. Then Jesus said, “Fear not,” and that is our instruction today. We can be assured that when we take our burdens to the Lord in prayer, our call will go through. We will reach Heaven’s call center and it will be the right department with the right equipment to help us. As Jesus continued His response to John, He listed His credentials saying, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:17-18). What more could we need to overcome life’s trials?

Whatever problems you are facing today, bring your cares to the Lord. Cry out to Him, and you will find that help is on the way. He is a match for every situation, and He will give you victory.

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