5 Words That Could Change Your Life

  “Look! The water’s rising above the street curb. I’ll call Skip and ask if this is normal.”  Our native California neighbor chuckled at my husband’s inquiry.

“The rainy season is here. Relax!”

Our four children, then ages 8, 6, 4, and 2, peered out our living room window, intrigued by nature’s water show. Within minutes, water covered the brick John had placed in the middle of our driveway.

With rain still pounding, John called again. “Skip, are you sure this is normal?”

Strong winds pushed waves of hungry water half way up our front yard. Skip’s car bobbled down the street like a water toy. Fear gripped us.

“Let’s move as much furniture upstairs as possible,” John ordered. Our feverish efforts paled compared to forceful, fast rising flood waters.

“Let’s pray,” I said. Prayer empowers me to keep fear from dominating.

Knees to the carpet, I suddenly didn’t know what to pray. That God save our lives? That our house is not destroyed? Booming thunder mocked my puny faith.

The Lord’s way prevailed. He turned my thoughts to the Red Sea. At Moses’ command, the waters parted and God’s people marched safely onto dry land.  God’s truth, parading across my mind, bolstered my faith. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8)

Minutes later we opened our front door. The water was lapping our screen door.  

With awkward boldness, I proclaimed. “Lord…I need Your help! You are all powerful. Keep water out of our house! I believe You can.”   

                                                                                                            

Motor boats maneuvered from house to house as neighbors screamed for help. An older man shouted, “Get in the boat. It’s too dangerous to stay. I’ll take you to the rescue bus.”

“We’ll be O.K.” John said. “We’re staying.”

Shortly after, another rescue boat appeared.  A city official on the rescue team commanded our family to flee.

The next day, the local newspaper headlines read: “Hundreds Flee Rising Water from Uvas.”  More than 260 Gilroy residents fled with damage estimated at $2.5 million dollars.

 The flood blanketed streets and yards with mud, silt and debris. Soggy carpets piled high and ruined furniture cluttered driveways.  After thoroughly investigating each room in our house, John observed one small flaw. Two buckled wood tiles in the entryway!  

God calls into existence the unseen.  (Hebrews 11:1)  

                                                                 

 “Lord, I need Your help.” A quiet whisper.  A silent plea. A spontaneous cry. For dozens of reasons that crowd my mind.

 I wait and listen.  I faintly hear my Helper’s response. I Am all you need. What will I do for you?

Fear fogs my memory.  Or sometimes it sneaks into my soul’s weak places, especially in the dark. It weaves a sticky web-like maze of doubt, distrust and cynicism, designed to ensnare me.   

 

God’s question remains. Will I seek for His answers? 

I choose. God’s Word, like the brilliant sun, burns off mental fog. 

I choose. God’s Word, laced with truth and grace. It offers fresh faith. Yesterday’s manna never satisfies.  

I choose. “The Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does,” Psalm 33:4.

 I flip through Truth’s pages with urgency, searching. God reveals Himself, again. He calls Himself, “I AM.” I AM limitless in understanding, unfathomable in love. I AM matchless in grace, absolute in justice. I AM unending in mercy and unquestionable in sovereignty. I AM all-powerful.

God’s Word is chucked full of promises. Gifts straight from the Father’s heart. I repeat them over and over until the enemy’s web is pulled down. Until I believe with every ounce of my body.

 “Lord, I need Your help…to be patient today; please help my body to heal; please help me to honor You at work today; please help me to forgive and love my enemies; help our discombobulated country…”

“Lord, I need Your help.” A no-guarantee formula to get what I ask for. Better yet, five words that explode with power, like an atom bomb, when spoken from a submissive heart. The Lord is on high alert, searching for people who call upon Him with wholeheartedness. 2 Chronicles 19:16

 “Lord, I need Your help.” Five words engage me to a BIG God to make all things work out to the good.

“So let’s walk right up to Him and get what He is ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” (Hebrews 4:6 MSG)