When we feel downcast and despondent, where do we turn to first for help? It is easy, I have found, first and primarily to turn to what the world offers in the way of expertise. Not that secular helps cannot be useful – many are inspired by the common grace of God. The question is, to whom do we instinctively and decisively turn?


I came across an anecdote of a Victorian pastor. A woman came to him with a problem. After listening, he said, “Well, let’s pray about that…” and she interjected, “No, no, you don’t understand! It’s really a very difficult thing.” He kept insisting, “Let’s take it to the Lord,” yet she persisted, saying, “No, it’s a very deep-seated thing.” So finally he prayed, “O Lord, we quite understand that this lady’s problems are too difficult for you to do anything about -,” and she interrupted, “Stop! That’s blasphemy!” He replied, “Well, now do you get the point?”


Do we always get the point that the Lord’s walls are the only real walls of defense we have? It must be to Him that we first turn.