Dial 911

September 11th, 2001 just past 9:00am, Stanley Praimnath, Vice President for Fuji Bank, was in his office in the South Tower in the World Trade Center when his phone rang. "Are you watching the news?" asked a woman in the Chicago office. "Are you alright?" "I’m fine" he said wondering why she had called. Just then he turned to gaze out the window. The surreal sight of a low-flying commercial jet, heading straight for his tower came into view. He dropped the phone in mid-sentence and dove to the floor. Curling under his desk he began praying to God, “Lord, help me” he prayed desperately as the aircraft smashed into the tower.

The smell of jet fuel in the air, equipment scattered all around, rubble covering the floor, dust in the air, he began clawing across mounds of debris. “Lord, I have to go home to my family,” he wheezed. “I have to see my daughters.” Just then he saw a light and the person holding the light said, “I am here to help you.” He thought this must be his guardian angel! His guardian angel was Brian Clark, a Christian who was an executive three floors below. The two miraculously climbed out of the rubble to safety.

Praimnath stated, "My Lord has some unfinished tasks for me." He took the tattered clothes he was wearing that day, put them in a box, and wrote DELIVERANCE all over it. Then he told my wife,"‘If I ever get spiritually cold, I want you to bring this box to me, open it up, and show me what the Lord brought me from."

It is ironic that the date of that event is 9/11, and the emergency number that we dial when we are in trouble has the same three digits. I want to offer this little way to remember what Psalm 91 is all about. When you are in trouble dial 911, that is Psalm 91:1. It says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Dr Billy Graham said after 9/11, "In times like this, we realize how weak and inadequate we are, and our greatest need is to turn in repentance and faith to the God of all Mercy and the Father of all comfort. If ever there was a time for us to turn to God and to pray as a nation…it is now…." Psalm 91:1 assures us we can turn to God at any time.

Anyone who works in a building or goes to school will know that every so often the emergency evacuation procedures are practiced so that people know exactly what to do in an emergency. Companies elect fire wardens to take charge should the alarm be raised. It is no good trying to work out what you are going to do during the emergency, people would just panic and lives would be lost.

I believe it is just as important if not more important, for us to have a plan of action for our spiritual lives. If you are not used to running to God in the good times then in times of trouble you will probably run from God. God wants to be your refuge and fortress in times of trouble. Many places in Scripture speak of God’s desire to help us in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9-10, Psalm 46:1, Nahum 1:7). Have you decided where you are going to run when troubled times come? What kind of life results when we do not dwell in the "Secret Place of the Almighty?"

John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station.

So many Christians live in defeat, cower in fear from demonic oppression, run from opportunities of ministry, and are shaken by every event of life that upsets their apple cart because they don’t dwell in God’s Secret Place. They have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior and they are making an attempt to serve Him, and live for Him, but they just don’t seem to ever be able to enjoy the victorious life that belongs to every Christian. I hope you will study Psalm 91 carefully this week, and develop a spiritual action plan for your life of faith.