Always there for you

We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.

By Campus Pastor Tom Parker, Timber Hills

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” —Philippians 4:6, NKJV

Do you find yourself full of anxiety? How often do you watch the news, check your cell phone, study your Facebook page or even pick up a newspaper and suddenly feel overwhelmed? We see wars across the world; we read about tornadoes in abundance; we watch rioters in anger burn, steal or even kill; we see innocent individuals (yes, even children) caught in the crossfire of violence; or, our government so polarized that each side is only concerned about their own ideology. Yes, in this world we can easily become distraught, confused, angry and even hopelessly filled with anxiety.

I remember an old hymn from my youth that seems to bring us hope and reassurance that there is a person who will walk this path we call life with us. That person is Jesus Christ.

The hymn is entitled “He Lives.” The lyrics of the very first verse go: I serve a risen Savior / He’s in the world today / I know that He is living whatever man may say / I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer / and just the time I need Him He is always near. The chorus goes on: He walks with me / and He talks with me / along life’s narrow way.
 
Have you ever had a friend, I mean a very dear friend, that no matter what you were going through, they were always there for you. A friend who you could call at any hour of the day or night, a friend who would sit with you when life seemed so overwhelming. Well, my dear friends, that is exactly the person of Jesus Christ.
 
In Hebrews 13:5, the Lord says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
 
WOW! Our Lord is always there. Prayer is talking to God; reading His Word is God talking to us. What a friend we have in Jesus!

Rev. Tom Parker has served PHS as a campus pastor at Timber Hills and Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington since 2013. He is a Baptist General Conference ordained minister and has served as a senior pastor in the church for several years and also worked for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. God has blessed him with three daughters, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.

Find more in the Light for the Way series: