And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20)

In today’s world, we have all learned to live with voice mail, menu telephone answering devices and hundreds of other technological marvels. While some companies view these as time savers, customers often resent the long waits, pushing this button and then that button, hoping that at some point they might hear a human voice who will listen to their reason for calling.

Have you ever stopped to wonder what it would be like if God installed an answering device such as this? Imagine praying and hearing, “Thank you for contacting God’s House. Press 1 for requests, press 2 for thanksgiving, press 3 for complaints, or press 4 for all other inquiries.” Or suppose you heard, “All of our angels are busy at the moment; please stay on the line since your prayers are important to us. The next available angel will take your call in the order received.”

We all need to be thankful that this does not happen when we approach God’s throne in need. One consistent theme throughout the scriptures is that God is always there when needed—always.

It is comforting to know that we will not hear, “At the tone, please leave a message and someone will get back to you. In the meantime, may you be blessed and have a wonderful day!” There is no concern or need that is too small or too difficult for God to manage. And we can rest assured that when we pick up the “heavenly phone” there is a real Being at the other end just waiting to hear from you.

Holy God of mercy and love, thank You for being available when I need You. And thank You for not putting me on “hold.”