“Dial 911”....the Wayfarer 2/9/16

“Dial 911”
 2/9/16

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”

(Psalm 91:1)

Even the youngest of children capable of understanding how to get help when truly in need are taught to dial 911.

The number itself has come to be recognized, almost universally, as a means to seek out that help when it is required.

On the other end of the “line”, still called such, despite that line now being the airwaves themselves, there waits an operator to give the required assistance in the case of emergency, and to assure that what is being presented as such is a true emergency, not a waste of time to respond to.

The efficiency of that “line”, is dependent both on the caller’s ability to discern an emergency, and his willingness to make that call; the operator’s ability to comprehend what the emergency is; determine if it is an emergency; direct it to the appropriate help immediately available; ask for that help, and continue to be there for the person calling for that help.

Today, I choose to look at a few of the 911’s and compare what we see as immediate help in this word for worldly problems, to the help also available immediately for the problems that constitute a real emergency, one of the soul instead or merely the body.

The first 911 I used as an example only, describes the one on the other end of another emergency line far less often employed, far less often recognized for the help available if that line is used.

It is, if you will, an equivalent to the response of the operator’s voice on the other end of that more familiar “line” that says “911 Operator how my I help you?”

I will return shortly to that first example I chose to use, and continue the comparison to the emergency calls made on phones daily and answers given, but first I would take you to other 911’s to be found in the four Gospels.

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?”

(Matthew 9:11)

Here we find a 911 call made, not in request of help, but in rejection of help, because of the unwillingness to see an emergency being tended to instead of being ignored by them.

Jesus’ response to this call, I have addressed many times before as it is found in the following two verses.

This would be the equivalent of a prank 911 call, a violation of the very reason for the existence of the availability of the number to begin with that is prosecutable by law when done by man to man, and was and is equally prosecutable when done by man to God, with a much harsher penalty.

Next I take you to Mark:

“And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?”

(Mark 9:11)

This question too was asked because of a lack of understanding of the help available, standing right in front of the disciples asking the question, after it had already been answered during their witness of the transfiguration of Christ.

Like may calling the 911 number, even though answers were given in response, before asking a question, comprehension of those answers failed, and continues to fail or to dawn on the ones asking when they refuse to listen to or see that response in action.

Here again Jesus’ response to that question would have given them clarity and hope, if only they had actually listened and comprehended that answer.

Unfortunately, until Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, that comprehension continued to elude them, as does the answers given many to their own 911 calls, both to man and God still today.

“And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.”

(Luke 9:11)

No prank calls this time!  No complete failure to believe in answers already given, but a willingness to comply and pursue the help that was recognized to be the help sought!

Pay attention to the first portion of this short passage.

First the people recognized that help was available, then, they followed that help and received that help!

Help cannot be given unless sought out, requested and instructions followed, meaning that the caller must be a willing participant to the conversation for any help to be effectively given.

When instructions are ignored, rejected by the caller, of either the earthly “line”, or the more important one I address, the danger only intensifies. Intended help can no longer be found, can no longer be that help, but becomes meaningless words as are many “requests” made for help, without faith that the instructions given will actually make the difference between life and death, both physical and spiritual!

“He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed and I received sight.”

(John 9:11)

Here is an even more vibrant and voluminous, example of help received as requested, but only when it was requested in faith of that help being capable to render the assistance asked, and instructions given for that help being followed, without which, it would have been a waste of time to have sought to begin with.

If you follow the continuation of this single verse given, you find those aforementioned Pharisees complaining once again about the help having been rendered, refusing to see it for what it was, and seeking only to find fault with that help because it interfered with their concept of law, a concept of man instead of the concept of God.

Before returning to the original 911 given, I take you first to another given in the same book I opened with:

“Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.”

(Psalm 9:11)

This 911 is simply a call to recognize the power of the help available, and to get the word out that that help is available to any seeking that help, a way to teach the smallest of children that help is available and where to find it, Who to call to receive it!

Now, as promised I return to the first 911 I chose to give as an example, and beyond it, to a further address of that promised help when it is called upon.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come night thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt read upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

(Psalm 91:1 through 91:16)

I think perhaps the power of the help available is shown to be sufficient through the words of this Psalmist! I know that those words are more than sufficient to any who first recognizes the need to make that 911 call, and actually realizes who to make that call to, then accepts the instructions given through that call and follows those instructions!

Help is available, instructions have been given, the first of these a mandatory requirement to receive the help needed, and must be followed if that need is sincerely recognized:

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Once the need for that help is first recognized, and that requirement is then met, the other instructions are readily available also for those who bother to look for them in the scriptures.

Help is available. Love is available. The Way to that help is available through the Truth given by the demand made of repentance for redemption and Life eternal.

I close in prayer that even the smallest of children, such as I myself still am, recognize that help available, and make that call I already made, then follow the instructions given to receive that help!

I remain as always, that same simple sinner, saved by grace through faith in an intercessor willing to give me the help I sought, still listening to those instructions and following them to the best of my ability to do so.

I remain that soldier, also, the one asked to assure the knowledge of the availability of that help, and the consequences of failing to see out the instruction given by that precious Voice that answers every sincere call, and culls out the pranksters and those unwilling to follow the simple requirements given, the Voice of the Source of all help, Christ Jesus!

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen

the Wayfarer