“Can you come pick me up? I don’t feel safe.”

A few weeks ago, my phone rang as a familiar name filled the screen. My day was just beginning, filled to the brim with deadlines and meetings.

Twenty minutes away, my roommate was just over halfway down the nature trail, enjoying an early morning walk on her day off.

Tennis shoes laced up and headphones in, she walked a familiar path while listening to a podcast, until a stranger suddenly began to cause a commotion up ahead. By the time my phone rang, the police were already on their way.

“The only thing I can do is backtrack and get to a safe location. I can’t make it to my car without going past him. Can you come?”

There was no hesitation, no second-guessing or concern for my to-do list. I was already reaching for my keys as I replied, “Of course. I’m leaving right now. I’ll meet you there.”

Only later when we were both home safe and sound, hearts beating at a normal rhythm, did I have time to reflect on the unexpected morning adventure. After the meetings ended and deadlines passed, I replayed the day’s events. One sentence crossed my mind, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since:

I will always come for you.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
Psalm 91:15 (NLT)

I could have accidentally missed her phone call, been out of town, or simply been in the middle of a meeting. But none of those possibilities apply to the God of the universe, the One who has called us His daughters.

There are no meetings or deadlines on His calendar, no growing to-do list filled with other concerns. He isn’t a twenty-minute drive away, and He’s never too busy for you.

Ours is a God who comes to join the celebration, who laughs and feasts with those He loves (John 2).

Ours is a God who comes to meet us in our mourning, who weeps with us even though He knows all will soon be redeemed (John 11).

Ours is a God who comes to us in the middle of the storm, who quiets the waves and reaches out a hand to save.

Have you ever noticed how many times the word immediately is used in Matthew 14? There’s no hesitation. His answer is ready before you even call.

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.
Matthew 14:22-31 (NIV), emphasis mine

There’s nothing special about what I did that morning. You would have done the same in a heartbeat.

But there’s something absolutely astounding in a God who not only hears our cries and promises to come, but immediately reaches out and knows what we need before we even call.

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
Isaiah 65:24 (NLT)

He will accept your invitation. He will show up as you walk through the unknown, celebrate an answered prayer, or mourn a great loss. He is not too busy, and He won’t miss your call. Whether you’re scared, sad, confused or weary, He is there. You are not alone.

He will always come for you.