Growing up in the 1980s, our family phone hung on the wall (not carried in my purse), and for those who remember, the rotary dial connected to the telephone seemed to have a rhythm all its own, didn’t it? Your fingers would spin the dial and twist the cord as you carried on your conversation. There seemed to be an endless supply of phone numbers stored in our memory. I still remember mine and my husband’s home telephone numbers (which my in-laws still have today). While the telephone cord held you captive, it only made the kitchen counter a more popular location. If you were lucky enough, your cord was long, which allowed you to wrap it around the wall to the next room for a small amount of privacy. Admittedly, there was a special excitement in receiving a call from your friends, and you never knew who it might be. I used to get so sad when the voice on the other end would ask for one of my brothers. Reluctantly, I would yell for one of them, hand them the phone with a disgusted look, and say, “It’s for you. Don’t take too long, I’m expecting a call.” I attest, however, that anticipation was much better than instant gratification!

A few weeks ago, as I was thumbing through my grandmother's Bible looking for a scripture passage out of the Revised Standard Version (RSV), I came across an old bookmark of hers with a handwritten note. There I sat, holding the bookmark in my hands as I recalled the first time she told me that God had a phone number and I could call Him anytime. Like any inquisitive child would do, I remember asking her for His number because I needed to call Him. That sweet memory remains vivid. She took me into the den of their parsonage, opened her Bible, and read Jeremiah 33:3 out loud. I had questions, and, as always, she had answers.

This verse is encouraging in and of itself, but even richer when we understand the context. Much of Jeremiah’s life was spent warning his people of the judgment to come if the nation of Israel did not repent and return to the Lord their God. Now, understand, these were a rebellious people who did not like the message Jeremiah continued to speak. God used Jeremiah to speak a message of hope to people going through desperate times, yet they preferred to listen to false prophets instead of listening to God’s true prophet, who was calling them to repentance. Jeremiah was persecuted for the message God instructed him to share and was imprisoned in the courtyard of the royal palace of King Zedekiah, the king of Judah at the time.

Undoubtedly, Jeremiah was lonely and uncomfortable in prison, but the word of the Lord came to him while he was holed up in a prison cell, giving him some of the most encouraging prophecies recorded in his forty years of ministry. God was instructing Jeremiah to call out to Him, be constant in prayer, and continue to seek Him, especially during times of persecution. 

Friends, God will not “work you in” during the hours of 12:00 and 4:00 p.m. next Wednesday, much like the cable company coming to fix your internet. As my grandmother reminded me all those years ago, God is always available. We can be reminded of this truth if we look to Psalm 121:4, which reads, “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” Thank you, Lord!

Prayer is talking to God, and we must be a people of prayer, fighting battles on our knees. We must respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to pray, even when we don’t feel like it. Pray because you have a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father that has been made possible through the blood and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16 and 10:19-25). What a Savior!

Perhaps you are struggling for answers, direction, wisdom, or insight. Maybe you are longing for purpose because you feel empty inside. Maybe you have a thousand Facebook friends, but often feel lonely. Doesn’t it make sense to call the only One who can truly deliver? Doesn’t it make sense to call the One who answers every call?

My invitation to you this week is to live in Jeremiah 33:3. Call on God, seek His face, and watch how He reveals His character to you. We cannot always see what God is doing behind the scenes in our lives. But He calls us to trust Him and wait expectantly, believing that He is listening and will respond, even if it takes time.  What are you waiting expectantly for right now?

Dial 333 and then enjoy a sweet time in the presence of God ~

Pastor Jen

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.”Jeremiah 33:3 RSV