This Christmas season found us once again in the emergency room. I received a call that my wife had passed out at work and was found on the floor of her office. Fortunately she works at a hospital. I rushed to the emergency room. After she was admitted, she had another episode and the heart monitor showed that she had “flat lined”. She was rushed by ambulance to Decatur Memorial Hospital where surgery was performed to put a pace maker in to regulate her heart rhythm. Thank God she is doing well and is already back to work on a limited basis.

Multitudes of people have faced life in the emergency rooms of life this past year. Many times emergencies and tragedies happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Hurricanes, tsunamis, fires, terrorist attacks, and other problems have flooded the lives of many people throughout the world. How can we have peace and help when we face life in the emergency room of life?

As my wife was being prepared for surgery, I read a portion of scripture that the Holy Spirit had directed me to share with her. It is one of the Psalms of “degrees” sung by the Israelites as they made the ascent up Mt Zion to Jerusalem to worship God. I like the New Living Translation, “I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever” (Psalm 121).

I didn’t have much sleep for two days. As I prayed for my wife, I told God I was too tired to pray anymore. God reminded me of Psalm 121. “Indeed, he who watches over you never tires and never sleeps . . . The Lord himself watches over you . . . The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life . . . both now and forever.” What a wonderful promise. What blessed assurance!

Let’s consider how to face life in the emergency room this coming year.

First – TIME is of the essence to save lives. Many wait too long to get to the emergency room. Hopefully your symptoms and signs will get your attention to seek help immediately. Scriptures tell us, “It is high time to awake out of sleep” (Romans 13:11). “Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). “Redeeming the time for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). “And find grace to help in the time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). “Therein for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). Jesus told us that when we see certain signs, know that His appearing is near – “even at the door” (Matthew 24:33). Yes, it’s time to get ready. It’s time to seek God.

Second – the TRANSIENT nature of our earthly life should motivate us to value and live life to the fullest. (John 10:10) Time is short but eternity is sure. Are you laying up treasures in heaven? That is the place of true security. (Matthew 6:19-31) Don’t wait for an emergency to prepare. It could be too late.

Third – TECHNICAL skills found in emergency rooms have saved many lives. We are thankful for the advancement in medical knowledge and technology. But what about your spiritual skills and your knowledge of God’s Word and ways? Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord? “Study to show yourself approved of God, a workman, that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). “Exercise yourself unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little but godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of life that now is and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:7-8).

Fourth – TRUST God and His promises when you are in life’s emergency room. Many have no problem trusting the emergency room doctor. Why not trust Him who “Made the heavens and the earth!” Trust that “He will not let you stumble or fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep . . . He never tires nor sleeps” (Psalm 121 NLT). He promises to watch over us as we “come and go, both now and forever.” He will surround you with His peace and presence if you will trust Him.

We never know when we will spend time in the emergency room. But He promises to be with His children. Do you belong to Him? “For as many as received Him (Jesus), gave He power to become sons of God, even as many as believed in His name” (John 1:12).