Dial Him Up

“Call Me and I will answer you and tell you great and wondrous things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

Many may not remember the old dial-up telephones. (1930’s–1940’s) Ours sat on a little table in the kitchen of the old farm house in which my Mom, Dad and I lived. You picked up the receiver, listened for the dial tone, then dialed the number assigned to the person you wanted to call on the rotary dial, on the front of the base of the phone. There were 4 or 5 others on the same line, it was called, a party line. Each one had a different ring when you were being called. You were supposed to only pick it up when it was your ring, but when Mom wasn’t in the kitchen, I would pick it up and listen to the conversation. And, if the truth be known, others did the same.

In much the same way we can “dial-up” the Lord. He is on a “party-line” also. He tells us through the words of Jeremiah “Call to Me and I will answer you…” (33:3) God promises to answer His phone whenever we dial Him up. It is called prayer. God longs to hear from us, much like a friend or a loved one waits patiently to hear from us. And how often do we disappoint that friend family member of loved one by neglecting to call them? The same can be asked—“How many times have we disappointed God?”

Why is it that it is not until we have exhausted all other options, before we close our eyes, bow our heads, and ask God for help? I suffer from IBS. Sometimes, the pain is overwhelming. Last night, for instance, was one of those times I endured it for a couple of hours—getting up, lying down, groaning, trying not to wake my husband, then when I couldn’t think of what else to do—I prayed. “Oh, Lord, take this pain from me!” The next thing I knew several hours had gone by, I awoke and the pain was gone! All I could do was say, “Thank you, Lord. Forgive me for not calling you sooner.”

God waits patiently for us to recognize that he means what He says when He says, “Call upon me and I will answer you.” The Prophets of the Old Testament and the Disciples and Apostles of the New Testament knew this. It is not just a story we read, but it is the Living Word! This means that what was true centuries ago is still true today. Prayer is a necessary part of life for a believer.

James tells us (1) “The prayer of faith will save the sick person.” (5:15a) He also warns that when we ask God we should ask in faith with doubting. “For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (1:6-7)

(2) “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray.” (15:13a)

(3) “Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.” (15:13b) Paul writes in Colossians…”singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

(4) “The intense prayer of the righteous [believer] is very powerful.” (15:16b) Whatever is attacking you cannot stand in the face of Almighty God! The Psalmist writes, “Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15)

I hope that you and I will not neglect to dial-up our Lord and Savior in all things, at all times. Maybe we could begin to realize that there is joy in our hearts even in the worst of times. No matter what time of day, God is listening. He is saying to you right at this very moment, “Call upon Me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.” This is God’s phone number: 537-3333 (Jere. 33:3).

Dial Him up—He promises to answer!

Dear Lord, help me to come to You first not last. Open my heart to sing praises to You no matter what the circumstances around me. Bless me this day as I seek to walk with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

I call upon the Lord in my distress, and He answers me. Psalm 120:1