Murphy Is Alive And Well

"Murphy Is Alive And Well"

April 30, 2009

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

You know, Murphy, don't you? Murphy is the fellow whose laws seem all too true. Murphy's the guy who said, "If something can go wrong, it will."

Last Good Friday, I think Murphy was hanging out in Philadelphia.

I believe that because of what happened in that grand old city. Last week, the Associated Press carried a story about how, on Good Friday, the cable network was broadcasting a special Holy Week worship service from the Vatican. At precisely 2 a.m., the national Emergency Alert System kicked in.

Some of you may be asking, "So what's the big deal?" To you, I say, "Don't forget Murphy."
Here's what happened. People were watching the Vatican's Good Friday service and then the Emergency Alert System switched them to a different channel. The audience ended up watching a 30-second ad for Girls Gone Wild. If you don't know about Girls Gone Wild, that's okay. All you need to remember is this: Girls Gone Wild isn't the Vatican.

You see anything that can go wrong, often does. Most readers of this Daily Devotion can remember a time Murphy paid them a visit. Sometimes, so many things seem to go wrong we think Murphy might never leave. As a minister, I can remember the colorful language of a trucker's CB radio breaking in on a Sunday sermon -- and the radio technician who forgot to switch off his microphone while our church was broadcasting. He told our congregation, in detail, of his exploits at a party the night before.

All of us have those days, months, and years when it seems anything that can go wrong, will. If that's true for you, please remember we have a God who is a "very present help" in times of trouble.

He who sent His Son to pay the price for our ransom, who died so we might live forgiven and forever, He has promised to be with us. That's why the Psalmist could say we will not fear, even if the mountains are moved and the sea roars its worst. To the Psalmist's inspired writings we might add this: we will not fear even when Murphy comes calling.

God is our refuge and our strength. He is a cause to rejoice.

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, in spite of life's setbacks and problems, I know that because of Jesus we shall be given the final victory. May I give thanks that You have made it so that all that has gone wrong will someday be made right. In my Savior's Name. Amen.