Call For Help

One of the downsides of living in an older house is that things break all the time. Our household, for example, has been without a furnace for many years now. Thankfully, the house is equipped with a wood stove, but let me tell you, there’s a lot more work involved in starting and keeping fires going around the clock than there is in adjusting the thermostat for the furnace. I was reminded of that as I tromped out in the rain this morning to dump the bucketful of ashes I had cleaned out from the wood stove.

As I neared the back corner of our property, the rambunctious dog in the yard behind ours approached the fence, jumping and barking. Tippy, our fourteen-year-old beagle, who had followed me outside, had not managed to get far from the house before she became aware of the neighboring dog’s barks. Unable to get to me in time to “save me” from the other dog, Tippy let out a mournful bark. This was not her usual, ferocious bark that warned all enemies to beware. No, this bark was different, and it didn’t take me long to realize why.

In the next instant, Mitchell, our ninety-pound shepherd and Tippy’s big brother (in her mind anyway), flew through the back door and immediately assessed the situation. He ran to my side in his effort to protect me from the neighboring dog. Meanwhile, Tippy had not moved from her initial position just outside the back door. She didn’t have to. She knew that she couldn’t get to me in time to do anything to help, so she had done the next best thing—she called for reinforcements.

As I thought on the events of this morning, I realized that Tippy’s actions were a true example to the Christian. God never intended for us to walk through this life alone. He has no desire for us to face the enemy in one-on-one combat. In fact, He made it clear that without Him, we can’t do anything. (John 15:5) When Satan comes against us, we’re not supposed to fight in our own strength. Instead, we should do like Tippy and call for reinforcements. In realizing her limitations, my little beagle acknowledged that she could do nothing. She needed help. And as soon as she called, help arrived.

The same can be said for us. In junking our pride and realizing that we cannot defeat the devil, we acknowledge that there’s only One who can. That One will come to our aid as soon as we call. He will deliver us and fight for us just as He did for the children of Israel. (Exodus 14:13-14) All we have to do is ask.

Are you facing a battle today that you cannot win? If so, take a moment to meditate on who’s fighting your battle. Are you standing alone or have you called for reinforcements?

Take some advice from my little beagle—call on your Big Brother. He’ll help you win the battle.