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Years ago, I almost drowned. My grandmother’s neighbors had built a very big and deep pond. Sometimes older teenagers would sneak in there and go there swimming. One day my older friend came by and took me over there. I was just going to sit on the bank and watch. They kept teasing me until I finally got in the water. I learned to dog paddle a little and would paddle close to shore. They challenged (making fun) me to paddle across the big tank. So, I started, and I immediately realized I was in deep trouble. Scared, exhausted and I thought I was not going to make it. I started to cry out, help me, save me. I am in trouble, and I can’t make it. I barely made it. That experience reminds me of something in the Bible. There are many accounts in the Bible where people were in trouble, and they cried out to God for help and God helped. Many times, our troubles are our own doing and others not. One thing, God is a merciful, gracious and compassionate God. He loves and wants to help us, (Psalm 145:18, Hebrews 4:16, James 4:8). But if we are proud and arrogant, He may not help us, (Psalm 86:15, Joel 2:13). God will and can help us many many times if we will call upon him, (Romans 10:13, Genesis 4:26, John 1:14-17).
