That there is a God who rules the universe is seen by the things that He created (Romans 1:20). As David once said, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). The great news is that God is a wonderful Being who is full of mercy and grace, but this news is only helpful if a person accepts God in his life. As Christians, we have a great advantage. We have God to help us, both physically and spiritually, when we are in need. First, notice the benefit of recognizing God when we need Him in the physical realm.

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 (ESV)
5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

Sometimes it seems like the walls of life are collapsing on us. It might be produced by financial problems, family problems, or maybe we are having problems with unreasonable co-workers. Whatever the source, we might well fold under the pressure, “but God” is there to comfort us.

How many times has God comforted us in times of trouble? Sometimes it might come, as it did with Paul, by brethren coming to our aid and lifting our spirits, but one way or another, God always brings us the comfort that we need. This should not surprise us since He is the “God of all com-fort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Let us never stop thanking God for His presence in our lives.

There is another area where we should be thankful that God has intervened in our lives. It is an area far more important than our physical, or even emotional, well being. God came forward to help us with the salvation of our souls when we could not save ourselves. What a mess we found ourselves in because of the spiritual choices that we made, “but God” stepped in to help.

Ephesians 2:1–2, 4-5 (ESV)
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

We were dead, “but God” resuscitated us by sacrificing His only begotten Son on our behalf. What mercy! What unmatchable love God showed us by sparing not His Son. Now we have the hope of eternal life. We should all be thankful beyond words that God helped us when we needed Him the most. Our destiny was eternal damnation, and there was nothing we could do about it, “but God, being rich in mercy, ” acted selflessly on our behalf so that by grace we might be saved.

Sadly, the majority of people in the world will never take advantage of the great things that God has done, and continues to do, for man. John put it best when he said about Jesus, “10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:10–11). If you are a Christian, you are one of the few who received God’s Son as your Savior. Now, you will have problems in life like every-one else, and you will even face challenges spiritually, “but God” will help you through it all.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.