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“In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.”
Psalm 18:6 (ESV)

Did you ever cry out to your husband in distress?

Oh, ‘HOW MANY TIMES’ would be my answer!

I remember a day when Steve was getting ready for an upcoming fishing tournament. There were many things that had to be done before you ever put that boat in the water.

He was sitting in the boat, and I was out looking for the perfect rock to move for a flower bed or to put around the goldfish pond we had in our yard.

“Steve, I need you to help me move this rock. Can you help me?”

Down he comes from that boat, and he moves the rock.

He goes back to the boat, and I continue my search for just what I needed.

After several times of my crying out his name, he very nicely tells me, “I’m not getting out of that boat again until I am finished.”

I smile and tell him, “OK, thank you very much for helping me. I love you!”

Since I have not finished my search. I just decided to handle it myself. I can do it! Determination is an important quality to have.

Finding my next perfect rock, I get a shovel to dig it up. When I flip that rock over, there is a snake. I didn’t scream, but just used the shovel to hold the snake still.

“I NEED YOUR HELP, STEVE — I kind of have a snake here!”

And one more time, he climbs out of the boat, walks calmly over to see what it might mean, ‘I kind of have a snake here.’

He takes care of the snake, and I give up my search for the perfect rock and sit beside him quietly while he finishes his work.

After his warning, I became very hesitant to call out to Steve for help.

Since becoming a widow, I have desperately needed help many times.

There have also been times I forget for a moment that Steve is not here with me and will call out his name.

The silence that follows is such a terrible thing.

I must remind myself, though, that there is someone I can call out to who has promised to be there — Jehovah Shammah.

Many widows recently gathered at Camp Copass in Denton, Texas for our AWM conference. It was a wonderful and sweet time of fellowship.

We worshipped together and learned more about the wonderful and amazing names of God.

One name I learned more about was Jehovah Shammah – the Lord is there.

Let’s think about some times that you and I have experienced Jehovah Shammah in our lives.

In the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Sadly, one thing you and I have in common today is that we have had to say goodbye to our husbands for a season.

Whether it was receiving a diagnosis as we sat in a doctor’s office, the unexpected and instant death of our loved one, or a virus that spread across this world, touching and changing our lives…

We found ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death, and our Jehovah Shammah was with us there.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 17, 2016, Steve and I had a conversation like so many before in the bathroom of our home. As we tried to figure out why Steve was having pain in his right shoulder blade, there was perfect peace in those moments before he went Home to be with the Lord.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

My sweet sisters, we have experienced our Jehovah Shammah—the Lord is there—over and over again in our lives.

When we have cried out in our distress, our Jehovah Shammah has been there and will be until we are with Him for eternity.

There was a day and time when I cried out to the Lord and spoke these words…

“Jesus, Jesus, Father God help me.”

It was a terrible moment when I found myself in the valley of the shadow of death in an encounter with a violent man who intended me great harm.

In my desperation, I cried out to the Lord, and He heard my cries.

He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
he rescued me, because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:17-19 (ESV

CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD

Our cries fall on the ears of our beloved Father, and HE KNOWS OUR VOICE!

No matter what our need is, our Jehovah Shammah is there.

There is coming a day when we will see our Jehovah Shammah face-to-face. Until that time, He has brought us together for such a time as this and to walk each other Home.

Our Father God, thank You for hearing our cries and knowing our voices. Help us to always remember that You rescue us in our need because You delight in us. Thank you. Amen