Running on Fumes, Walking in Prayer

It’s hot.  The summer heat is bearing down on you as if you are on a beach in Mexico.  Except there is only one problem—this is no vacation.

You are wearing your best clothes and the closest gas station is about a mile away—at least that is what you hope.  You take one glance back to make sure that your car is still there.  It is.  It’s bright orange hazard lights flash loudly to let every passerby know that you are the owner of that car.

How could you be so wrong?  You noticed the light come on.  You even set the tripometer the last time you filled up.  According to your calculations, you should still have exactly twenty-two miles until you were completely out of gas.

Obviously, your math is wrong and with every step, your sweat reminds you of all the gas stations that competed for your patronage along the way.  A few cents difference in price, the brand of gasoline, the grade—none of these things matter anymore.

And as you repent and promise to God you will never ignore that flickering gas light again, a car pulls up on the shoulder in front of you and puts on its flashers.  Could it be that misery has found company?  Could they have been just as foolish?

As you approach the vehicle, you realize they have stopped for you.  With your heart pounding with excitement, relief, and disbelief, you thank God for His perfect timing.  After a few deep breaths, you gather your composure, dry your brow, and meet your new friends.

At the end of the next thirty minutes, you find yourself reviving your car’s ability to move with the precious contents of the infamous plastic red gas can.  And while you pour, you realize your promise to God is more than just a future discipline to “fill ‘er up”.

Psalms 116 and King David share your testimony, prayer and promises best—

“I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.  Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.  The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.  Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.  For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.  I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:  I said in my haste, All men are liars.

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.  O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.  In the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.”