“Nana! Nana!” Finley and Amy came running back to the house from the church parking lot where they had been playing.  Bethany was close behind with a guilty look on her face.

“What Finley? What’s going on, Amy?”

Wide-eyed and breathless, the girls told me Bethany had called 9-1-1 on her cell phone.

I looked at Bethany. “Did you call 9-1-1 on your phone?” (I knew she didn’t have any minutes left so I didn’t think it would have connected to the police – I didn’t hear any sirens- that was a good sign- but I was going to make this a learning moment 🙂 )

She stared at me- I could see the truth written plainly on her face but I waited for her to confess.

Nada.

I changed my tactics.  ” You know you’re never supposed to call 9-1-1 unless there is an emergency or someone is hurt?”

She nodded.

“Then why did you call 9-1-1?

“Momma, I just wanted to see if they were there- just in case I might need them for emergency.”

We reviewed the proper protocol and I waited for a few hours, hoping and praying 9-1-1 calls don’t actually go out on track phones with no current minutes.   I was relieved when no squad cars arrived.  After the rest of the day passed with no incident, I forgot about it.

I was still in my pajamas the next morning when the police knocked on our door.  OH NO! It appears you don’t have to have minutes on your phone for a 9-1-1 call to go through- good to know.  😉  They explained they had narrowed down a call to our block and were going door to door to see if someone had called for help the day before.  We brought Bethany up to meet the nice policeman and have him give her the same message we did – no 9-1-1 calls unless there’s a true emergency.  I was thankful he was understanding and I prayed Bethany was understanding – truly comprehending her actions had direct consequences.

It’s actually quite wonderful- our “man-made” 9-1-1 system. To be able to call someone to help us when there is an emergency! We know they’ll do their very best to help us in whatever way they can.  They are committed to helping- rescuing- protecting.

[Tweet “God has a 9-1-1 system. He’ll answer every time you #call. #prayer”]

We are living in ever increasing, troublesome days. Days of emergency. Days where things are happening that aren’t in our control. And we need help; we are going to need supernatural help that can only come from God.

Thank God we can call on God, anytime, any moment, any hour, for any reason; real or imagined emergencies- or like Bethany- just making sure He’s there! For we have a Father who is committed to helping- rescuing- protecting!

He’s on call 24/7/365/eternity.  He never sleeps or slumbers. He never gets tired of our calls- for help or reassurance or wisdom. You don’t need minutes- hey, you don’t even need a cell phone!!!  And it doesn’t take him 24 hours to find us- He knows right where we are and is with us- even when we can’t feel His presence.

[Tweet ” “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.- Roman 10:13 #help #prayer “]

Here’s some encouraging scriptures about Calling on the Name of the Lord– our spiritual help in time of need!

New International Version  Romans 10:13
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

New Living Translation
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

New American Standard Bible
“WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

Joel 2:32
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.

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Romans 10:12
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

Psalm 18

For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: