Thankful That When I Stumble Around, God Provides Help in Time of Need

Do you ever become frustrated over events or circumstance you thought you had planned for, which you had taken care of, but for which you then ended up encountering trouble or difficulty?

First, let me say that traveling is often an adventure. I am usually up for various adventures in life. However, sometimes in the middle of life’s challenges, I do wonder. I am very capable of making a short story long. However, let me try in this devotion to make a long story short. I will simply share that Kathy and I checked early in for our flights from Orlando to Germany on October 17, assured that our luggage was checked all the way through to Leipzig. But, when we arrived in Germany on Friday, October 18, our luggage did not make it with us. Sigh. A second frustration happened on Saturday, October 19, as we traveled to Prague. We asked at our hotel desk for recommendations of a place to eat. When we arrived at the recommended restaurant, La Republica, we were somewhat scolded. “It’s Saturday evening. We are booked all night. You should have made a reservation.” In both of these situations we thought we had prepared. However, in the moment. we were frustrated that our plans did not work out as we expected.

Nevertheless, things did ultimately work for the best in both situations. We arrived at our hotel in Wittenberg on October 18 around 6:00 p.m., and, while we were sleeping, at around 10:00 p.m., the airline did deliver our luggage. Yeah! We didn’t even have to carry our luggage on the train! J

Similarly, while we did not eat in Prague at the dining establishment where we planned to eat on Saturday night, we did find another restaurant, even closer to our hotel. “Café Imperial” might be one of the nicest places where Kathy and I have ever eaten. We enjoyed wonderful food, great service, and the price was less than many American restaurants! Kathy looked up “Café Imperial” on Google, and their recommendation was to make a reservation at least 7 days in advance. Yet, they gladly served us as walk-ins, two nights in a row!

Do you believe the Lord is with you through life’s adventures and challenges? When something fortunate happens, is it just ‘good luck?’ Or, could the Lord Himself be taking care of His stumbling children?

I am preaching this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in Wittenberg, Germany. on Hebrews 4:9-16, the Epistle lesson assigned for October 20. In many ways, this verse speaks a Reformation message of God’s grace. The writer assures us that, in spite of our sin, our failures, we can count on Jesus. “14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15) God’s law points to our sin. But, the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus is our high priest. In compassion, Jesus knows our struggles. Jesus’ righteousness covers our sin. Thank you, Lord, for our eternal salvation in Jesus! Therefore, the writer to Hebrews calls God’s people, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) The Reformation message is that we do not earn our own way, but GOD calls us to His throne of grace!

But, this Scripture message from the Lord does not just say that he saves us for eternal life. In Jesus, we also “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Kathy and I could have totally lost our luggage. Or, we could have ended up like my brother Stephen, whose luggage chased him around Israel for 5 days in in 2022. But, in contrast, our luggage DID arrive. Then, when we were turned away at one restaurant we could have walked back to the hotel. Yet, we opened the door to a wonderful dining establishment where we feasted, and where after two nights, we felt like family! God is good!

Yes, God is most concerned about our eternal welfare. Jesus is our Savior from sin and death for eternal life in heaven. Nevertheless, God also cares for us daily. There are many verses in Scripture which teach us of God’s loving care. (For example: Psalm 103, Psalm 121, Matthew 6:30, Mark 10, Matthew 10:28-31, Romans 8:28, etc.) Therefore, I also choose give thanks and praise to my Lord when unexpected blessings follow troubles in my daily life. Life is full of unknown challenges. But because in Jesus we “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” we can face life, and we can praise our Lord, whatever adventures and challenges we face. Thank you, Lord!