Several weeks ago we got what seemed to be a great deal on a used car. It had passed state inspection, had a reasonable amount of miles with a reasonable price, good gas mileage, and its make was deemed #1 in reliability and safety for its year. Plus we were protected by the “lemon law” – if anything goes wrong within 30 days, bring it back to the dealer and they’ll fix it for free.
It did and we did—as soon as we got it on the highway at 60mph it began to vibrate. So my husband brought it back, none too happy. They said it probably just needed the tires balanced, and gave him a “loaner”, the “only one left on the lot”—a black Kia Soul.
Maybe someone out there likes that kind of car. I don’t—it rides like a jeep and makes anyone in it feel empathy for food placed in a blender at high speed. But I felt thankful to even have a car to ride in when necessary for 3 days… oops, better make that 2 weeks… well, actually 4 by the time we got it back, supposedly fixed.
During that time, our dealer had sent it to its brand-dealer and mechanics when they discovered it needed a new engine. We praised the Lord—“thanks for the new engine with zero miles on it, and still under warranty!”
We welcomed our car back with open arms and glad hearts, happy to return the “loaner” to its owner. Truly the only time a pastor and wife (us) didn’t want to save a Soul!
Just one problem—the vibration hadn’t gone away. So my husband brought it back to our dealer, more than a little annoyed, informing them of the issue. This time he brought our mechanic-friend, a member of our church. Our friend also recently became a licensed state vehicle-inspector. This guy put the fear of God into everyone from management, mechanics, and sales, letting them know he could have them shut down for allowing our car to “pass” inspection and be sold!
They promised to fix it and bring it back to us by the time we returned from a 4-day trip, putting their top mechanic on it, to solve the problem. When that didn’t work, they gave us another “loaner” – a brand new $50,000 Honda with the sticker on it, that had just come into their lot. Only the very best for those they now consider VIPs! (we had it for 4 days)
What changed? Why did they go from trying to cover up the problem, then minimizing it, giving us the run-around and poor service, to such honored and careful treatment?
Sure, it’s our friend in a “high place” threatening their hides if they keep hiding the truth! But, above and beyond that, it’s our Friend in the highest place, watching over and going ahead of us.
He’s the one who “never slumbers nor sleeps” (Ps. 121) while standing guard over us, always making sure we’re well taken care of. This includes every aspect of life, spiritual, emotional, relational, mental, as well as physical.
Does this mean we’ll always get what we want and never suffer loss, grief, hurt, or harm? It depends on how we define “well taken care of”. To us, if we admit it, it means the Lord is at our beck and call like a servant, and keeping us pain-free like a celestial Superman.
But the Lord defines “well taken care of” as: looking out for and ensuring our best interests for the highest good. Which means sometimes we get what we want and sometimes He doesn’t give or let us have that because it would cause more harm than good. It also means letting a strategic type and amount of pain into our lives to build better character and relationship with Him—ultimately the highest good for us as it produces the fruit of the Spirit within us and better life overall for now and eternity.
There’s just one double-condition to make His being our Friend in the highest place work—First, we have to have a real relationship with Him. That’s what friendship means. Second, we have to call on Him when we’re in need. Then, we call on Him based on His character, ability, and track record, not on our worthiness or past.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live… The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.” Psalm 116:1-2; 5-6
As much as we don’t want to be selfish and demanding, we don’t want to go to the other extreme of being afraid to ask Him for help and/or cry out to Him for rescue when we’re in trouble or under attack.
We called our friend, the state vehicle inspector, when we needed guidance and an advocate against bad treatment at best and fraud at worst. He came and came through. While our car still has a minor issue, we got it fixed the best it possible could be. And we’re not asking for luxury. In fact, that large, luxury, SUV was too big and too hard to handle. We have what fits us best and meets our needs.
When we call on our Friend in the highest place, He does the same—he comes and comes through. He doesn’t let anyone “pull the wool” over the eyes of the sheep of His flock!
“’And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’” Ps. 50:15
In the case of our car, which is temporary, we called first on our Friend, and then our friend. In any case and in all we face, especially with that which matters for eternity, always call on our Friend in the highest place—He never lets us down.
Also, as of today, our car still isn’t totally fixed, so we’re still calling on our friend and Friend in the high and highest places, and the mechanics are still working on it. Like our human friend in a high place, our Friend in the highest place never gets tired of us calling on Him, even repeatedly for the same thing!
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