Help May Be Closer Than You Think

Some days are better than others. Fridays are good, so good, in fact, that a restaurant chain has taken the initials of a common phrase spoken by most of us on Fridays as their name, “TGIF” (Thank God It’s Friday).  At the other end of the spectrum is Monday. The day we return to work is not often our favorite. The girl group The Bangles summarized how many feel in their song Manic Monday. If you don’t remember, let me remind you, the opening lines were:

Six o’clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin’ Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can’t be late
‘Cause then I guess I just won’t get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made

Another group, The Mamas And The Papas, of an earlier generation, verbalized some of our feelings in a line of their song Monday, Monday. The lines of this song is:

Monday Monday, can’t trust that day,
Monday Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way
Oh Monday morning, you gave me no warning of what was to be

There is truth in the statement “can’t trust that day.” We can’t trust any day, whether it be Monday, Friday, or any day. I have often been guilty of allowing the circumstances of life to prevent me from enjoying life. Too often I have been guilty of believing that “When x, y, or z occurs, then I will be able to relax, or enjoy myself.”

I have come to realize that this reasoning is poisonous. The reality is that you and I should not trust any day, we should only trust in the Lord everyday. If we are living in accordance to God’s will everyday will be worthwhile and meaningful, although not without challenges. Our Monday morning’s are nothing when compared to the morning “the servant of the man of God” had in 2 Kings 6:8-18. There we read:

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:8-17 (NIV)

We each need to be men and women of God who can pray and show others that the help they seek is closer than they have imagined.