He Is With Us – Sunday, February 23, 1997
There is a great joy in knowing that God is watching over us, that He cares about us and wants us to be happy. Relying on this knowledge, we can call upon our caring Creator and significantly increase the peace and happiness we desire in life. As we reach out to Him in prayer, He is with us. This was demonstrated recently when a young couple expressed fears they had after a series of drive by shootings occurred in their city. The husband told how they became afraid to go anywhere, even to work, for fear of becoming a random target. He said their fears were completely dispelled and peace returned when they began praying specifically to be protected, even directed, from the path of such danger.
This same comforting piece was experienced not long ago by an Air Force pilot when he ejected out of his exploding aircraft and landed in enemy territory. As he lay day after day in the underbrush, hearing enemy voices come closer and closer and almost afraid to breathe, he silently prayed more fervently than he had ever prayed in his life. After trying again and again to make radio contact with his unit, while continuously seeking divine help, he finally succeeded. A heroic rescue then took place, and this young pilot, Captain Scott O’Grady, gave a message of hope to a waiting world. He said, “I had learned that I could turn to God… and he would never desert me.”1
In the Old Testament scripture, the prophet Isaiah promised that if we “call… the Lord shall answer… and shall guide [us] continually.”2 When we face difficulties, he will be there. We need only to have faith in him and call upon him. A 60-year-old woman discovered this when she experienced an accident at work, causing the amputation of her lower right arm. As she adjusted to her loss and relied on her faith, she learned new ways of doing things. Looking back on her life, as she faced this new challenge, she said “God has always been there when I needed help.”3 Her granddaughter reported that her grandmother’s overwhelming faith gave a beautiful radiance to her life.
That “beautiful radiance” is available to everyone. It can fill a home as families and individuals kneel and seek daily guidance, as they ask for help in facing a tragedy or disappointment, as they give thanks for blessings, as they ask for safety along the highway of life. Anyone, anywhere, can feel the peace and comfort that comes from relying on divine guidance. It is available to all. Much like the young pilot who prayed and persisted until his radio signal was heard, we, too, must do our part and tune into our heavenly source. We have been promised that if we trust in the lord with all our hearts, he will direct our paths.4
1 Captain Scott O’Grady, Return With Honor (New York: Doubleday, 1995), p. 104.
2 Old Testament, Isaiah 58:9,11.
3 Mary Lu Leon, Guideposts Magazine (New York, New York: February 1997) p. 26.
4 Old Testament, Proverbs 3:5,6.
February 23, 1997
Broadcast Number 3,523