Chip Ingram - Finding God When You Need Him Most

A moonless Texas night had settled on our neighborhood. It must have been a Saturday evening because I remember sitting on the living-room floor with my wife and kids while we folded the church bulletins for the Sunday service. Suddenly, ferocious barking erupted down the street and footsteps thudded up the walkway. Someone pounded on our door. I jumped up, ran to the door, and threw it open. There stood Michael, a friend of my older boys. He was sweaty and breathing hard. He looked like hed just seen a ghost.

Let me in! Let me in! he pleaded, gasping for breath.

Whats wrong? I asked.

Theres a huge dog. Its after me. Its going to kill me. Michaels body shook as he turned around to look for his assailant.

By now my whole family was at the door. The barking grew louder. We all stared, waiting for Michaels ferocious attacker. As I flipped on the porch light, a tiny dog bounded into view. His bark was bigger than his height! We all burst out laughing.

Now remember, it was pitch dark. Michael thought he was in grave danger because he couldnt see anything. The moment a little bit of light corrected his perception, he changed. He was relaxed and laughing with embarrassment.

At that moment I remember thinking how our perceptions always determine our actions. Michael thought he was in danger; he felt a desperate need to find a safe place. He knew he could take shelter at our house, so he dashed to our door.

We all have times like these. Most people run to Godalmost instinctively. Even people who arent too sure about God. Why? Somehow, we know deep downor at least hopethat God will be our shelter.

I wrote this book to encourage you to run to God whenever:

you get a raw deal and life just isnt fair,

youre going through a crisis or a major life transition,

you feel like a nobody going nowhere,

youre troubled and depressed,

youre gripped by fear,

youve blown it big time, or

youre confused.

Gods Word, the Bible, will enable you to see your situation in a different way. It will flip on the porch light over your soul so you can see whats really going on and what God would have you do about it. Im telling you up front that God is the place to run. He is and always has been a shelter, a safe place where people can take refuge. God is real and ready to open his door to all who run to him in times of need.

Each chapter in this book looks at a specific need in light of one of the Psalmsthe songbook of Gods people. The Psalms are God-breathed, so they give truth and light. They were written by real people who didnt hold back their emotions. These people dared to bring their desperate needs to God.

Each chapter addresses a need common to us all. You may not have experienced all of them, but eventually you probably will. When these needs suddenly invade your life, Id like you to know where you can turn in the Bible to find truth and encouragement. I also highlight an aspect of Gods character that corresponds to the issue. Along the way you will meet some special people who have taught me by their lives, under extreme conditions, that they know God was with them.

I dont want you merely getting fresh ideas about God, nor do I want you simply to collect amazing secondhand stories about Gods comforting presence. What I really want is for you to encounter the living God as he reveals himself to you. This is my prayer for you as we begin this journey together: O L ORD , open their eyes and let them see!

Ive borrowed this prayer from the prophet Elisha. He used it on an occasion similar to the tough spot in which Michael found himself. The story is told in 2 Kings 6:823. Elisha and his servant were wanted men. The king of Aram had a contract out on their lives. Eventually, someone revealed their location to the king, and he sent an army by night to capture the prophet and his assistant. The soldiers quietly surrounded the village where Elisha was staying.

When morning came, the servant left the house. Everywhere he looked there were armed men on horseback. Chariots, spears, and swords blocked every way of escape. Elisha and his companion were surrounded. In shock and despair the servant called out to Elisha, Oh, sir, what will we do now? (2 Kings 6:15 NLT).

Instead of answering his servants question, Elisha addressed his terror. Dont be afraid.... There are more on our side than on theirs! said the prophet. Before the servant could ask what he meant, Elisha prayed, O L ORD , open his eyes and let him see! The L ORD opened the young mans eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:1617 NLT). The prophets assistant caught a glimpse of ultimate reality. He learned a lesson that God allows each of us to learn throughout life: there is so much more to life than what we can see. Unless we can learn to expect Gods continual presence in every part of life, we wont be able to experience his presence when we need it most. So again, my prayer for you as we begin is, O L ORD , open their eyes and let them see!