"May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you." (Psalm 20:1 NIV)

A shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers three or four times by crying, "Wolf! Wolf!" and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains.

The wolf, however, did truly come at last. The shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: "Pray, do come and help me; the wolf is killing the sheep" but no one paid any heed to his cries, nor rendered any assistance. The wolf, having no cause of fear, at his leisure destroyed the whole flock.

The moral of the story: There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth.

Aesop wrote many fables that teach hard lessons. This particular fable has stirred in my heart many times, particularly in today's culture where it is accepted to take the Lord's name in vain. While the Lord promises He will never turn His back on us and He will always heed our call, I often wonder if He doesn't tire of the many times we cry out, "Oh my God!" as an expletive without really meaning to invoke His presence in prayer.

Psalm 124:8 reminds us "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Proverbs 18:10 tells us, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

When we're overwhelmed with life's circumstances, we want to know the Lord will hear our cries. When pain consumes us and we cry out, "My Lord!" we need to know He's near. When we're too weak to face tomorrow, we need to know we can call on the name of the Lord for strength.

Honor the name of the Lord. Call upon Him in your time of trouble.

Father, forgive me for the times I've misused Your holy name. Oh Lord, hear my cries and answer when I am in distress. In Jesus' name. Amen!

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." (Psalm 29:2)

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© 2008 Jan Ross
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