"Lord, Help Me!"

The story is told of a carpenter who was nailing shingles on the roof of a house. He lost his footing and started to slide off. As he was sliding he began praying, "Lord, oh, Lord, help me!" Still he kept sliding. Again the man prayed, "Lord, oh, Lord, help me." He kept sliding until he got to the edge and a nail sticking up caught hold of his pants. After he came to a stop he said, "Never mind, Lord. The nail's got hold of me now."

We can miss the things God has been doing for us when they are right under our noses! We do well in our spiritual journey to recognize when God is providing for us. Despite everything God does for us, people still question or wonder what God has been providing. When God doesn’t come across with what we want, in the ways we want, at the times we want, murmuring so easily begins.

Working with Vacation Bible School again this year, I was reminded over and over that God provides us. After Adam and Eve disobeyed, God provided the PROMISE of a Savior. When the Israelites wandered in the desert, God provided PROVISIONS of bread, water, quail. When Jesus was tempted, God provides STRENGTH for our journey. As we journey, and when we're tempted, God provides for us still!

What a blessing to understand that God gives us HOPE in the dying and rising of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Finally (in the end) God provides the eternal JOY of heaven -- being with God forever.

Of course the GREATEST thing God provides for us is JESUS -- who is with us daily and always, in our struggles, in our joys. It's always the right time to make a decision: as you journey through your life, WALK WITH JESUS! If you're not walking with Jesus, this is a good time to turn around and join up with Jesus, who is always nearby. If you are already following Jesus, you certainly know that you can make this decision to follow again and again and again.

Lord, oh, Lord help me. Amen.