Panic Button

Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. Daniel 2:20

In many gas stations and convenience stores staffed with only a single employee late at night there is an implicit danger. Often, there is money on hand and the establishment is vulnerable to robbers. Many of these places have a button that is concealed and easy to access that when pressed can trigger a silent alarm alerting the police or a private security company that help is needed. As Christians, we have ready help in times of distress.

It is a terrible feeling. We suddenly find ourselves in bad situation. An accident, a pending pink slip, a crisis in a relationship or a sober diagnosis. We are taken by surprise and the surprise quickly begins to yield to panic. What should Christians do? How do we keep it together? In the second Chapter of Daniel King Nebuchadnezzar had a problem and because he was king, he made it everyone’s problem. He explained to Daniel and his companions that if they could not interpret his dream they would be cut to pieces and their houses be made ash heaps. Daniel asked for time to go home. He and his group immediately sought God’s mercy. God answered him and he began to praise God. Please note Daniel begins to praise God before he has spoken to the King or interpreted his dream. In his praise he acknowledges that God raises up and removes kings (Daniel 2:21). In his crisis, Daniel reminds himself of who God is. In your most difficult times, you need to remind yourself that God is merciful and faithful and an ever present help in time of trouble.

My prayer for you today is for the presence of mind to go to God in every situation to seek the peace he can provide even in a storm.

Deacon Larry Woodard