A Very Present Help
by Gemma Gardner
The Lord has given so many wonderful promises for everyone who puts their trust in Him, but there’s one promise which Jesus made that we would, perhaps, rather not have. He told His disciples that in this world they’d have trouble.
My husband, Dean, recently wrote a Seed about an encounter he had with a vicious dog, as he was out walking with our dog, Sid. Fortunately, that dog was muzzled, and though he jumped up at Dean, who was holding Sid, he couldn’t harm them. God kept them safe.
One sunny Sunday afternoon recently, it was my turn to take Sid for his walk. I’d just turned the corner of our road and crossed to the other side, when I saw two white dogs. They weren’t on leads. They ran towards me. I quickly crossed back over the road to avoid them, but they caught up with me and started attacking Sid. He was crying out in pain, and I was terrified. I screamed, “Jesus, save me! Help!” I couldn’t get Sid away from the dogs – they would have killed him.
But then a lady suddenly appeared, and she drove the dogs away. She just happened to be driving by, and saw what was happening and intervened. She carried Sid to our home. Dean was there, and he examined Sid. He had one puncture bite, so we went to the vet and Sid was treated.
I’m glad to say, Sid has recovered. Dean prayed with me, asking the Lord to lift off the shock and trauma, but it did take me a while to fully recover, as I kept re-living the incident.
However, I determined not to let fear keep me from going out with Sid. I’ve been out with him now several times since, and the Lord has protected me. Sometimes, it seems, God delivers us from trouble, but at other times, He delivers us in trouble. I thank Him for that kind lady He sent along to rescue me and Sid.
If you’re facing trouble of any kind, God wants you to know that He is ‘our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1). He hears your cry, and He’ll either deliver you from the trouble, or else He’ll bring you safely through it, and you’ll look back in wonder and praise for what He’s done.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are with me wherever I go. You never cease to care for me. Please help me to trust you when I find myself in any kind of trouble. Please be my ever-present help and protector, and I will give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
