Read Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

As a boy I remember listening to my bedside radio as I fell asleep. One of my favorite shows was Big Joe’s Happiness Exchange, beamed from the nearby New York City. The program always began with a deeply mellow and tender voice saying, “Have no fear, Big Joe is here,” and then he would sing…

Somebody cares about you and every little thing that you might do / Somebody cares if you sleep well at night. If your dreams have gone wrong or your day has gone right… Please believe me it’s so but in case you didn’t know / Somebody cares.

Then people from all over city would start to call in to Big Joe. With an understanding and quieting spirit he would listen and encourage those who were hurting and lonely. If they had material needs, other people would call in to offer help. It was a tangible, loving expression of grace and mercy.

But it doesn’t compare to what we have in Jesus. More caring than Big Joe and much more capable to meet our needs, Jesus is willing and able to be our aid. Not limited to a one-hour call-in program, our God is “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). When our troubles are so complex and overwhelming that we don’t even know what to ask for, be assured that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, praying for us “with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). When sin invades and corrupts our existence to the point that we feel too ashamed to call for help, be encouraged that Jesus “speaks to the Father in our defense” (1 John 2:1 NIV).

Knowing that He is praying for me “24-7″ anchors my soul with stability regardless of what is happening around me. When I feel lonely, rejected, misunderstood, or taken advantage of, I know that He has felt it all before. He understands and readily supplies grace and mercy.

While programs like Big Joe’s are a helpful commodity to our hurting world, I can’t help but think about how much more wonderful Jesus is to me! He is ready and waiting… All we need to do is to call in and encourage others to do the same.
-Joe Stowell-

Responding - Who do I know is hurting? How can I encourage that person to “call in” to Jesus today?
Following - Have no fear… Jesus is here.

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