A police spokesman in West Palm Beach, Florida, has reported they have a 22-year-old man who has called 911 over 900 times in eight weeks. He did not have any emergencies.
I thought of Psalm 91:15, “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Right from the beginning God set up a 911 service (no phone needed). The reason I thought of this is I know a person who is fearful of most everything around him and is constantly praying for strength and protection. I certainly do not want to discourage people from bothering God with their needs because you cannot bother God. However, there needs to be a reasonable balance in life. God has given us talents, resources, brains and a task to do. Surely He is exasperated when we keep calling Him for help when we haven’t utilized what He has already given us.
Psalm 46:1 calls God an ever-present help. However, like every good parent surely He longs for us to grow up. He wants us to mature. This does not mean doing it alone but it does mean showing initiative and creativity by setting our hands to the tasks before us. He will not fail us nor depart from us but neither does He want to mow the yard for us when we have the strength to do it for ourselves.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 11, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453