When 911 Puts You On Hold

“Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.”
Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)

I well recall an incident some years ago when I came upon an accident on a major highway in Toronto. I called 911, the emergency call number on our telephones, and someone answered fairly quickly. I explained the location on the highway, and the apparent injuries to the people involved in the collision.

The operator I spoke to told me to hold the line while they transferred me to the correct department for highway accidents. I was surprised that the emergency number would actually put me on hold. They were supposed to dispatch help quickly to the scene, especially as I had reported there were personal injuries involved.

After what seemed an eternity (probably only a couple of minutes), another person came on the line. I quickly told them the details of the accident and once again I was put on hold in order to be transferred to someone else to deal with the matter.

I almost gave up my efforts to be a good Samaritan. I was trying to help to the best of my ability and the emergency people were passing me around like a football. I could not help thinking that somewhere the 911 staff was not doing a very good job of handling an emergency.

In life we can gain the impression that in times of emergency our prayers do not seem to be connecting with God. We sense we are left to our own resources to handle the crisis. Job had such an experience as described in Job 23:3-4 where he says in despair, “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.” (NIV)

Do you think that the Almighty has put your prayers on hold? You are not alone in this experience. All of us find the heavens to be like brass at certain times in life. What are we to do? How can we pray and know that we are heard by God?

One of the best ways to make a clear connection with God is to find a suitable promise in Scripture that speaks to your need. Then bring that promise to God in prayer. Tell the Lord you want what He has promised. Matthew Henry, the great Puritan commentator and preacher said, “We must sue God for the performance of His promises.”

Look for a place in Scripture where God has given to His people what you seek from Him. Call on God to do the same for you. Never stop praying regardless of how disconnected from the Lord you think you are. Keep praying when you imagine your prayers rise no higher than the roof of your prayer room.

God has promised to listen to His children and to answer even as our verse today promises. Never give up, never stop until you have what you need from the Lord. He waits for your determined prayer. Come to Him and come now.

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