Elisha Hoffman penned these classic lines: “I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone; in my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own. I must tell Jesus all of my troubles; He is a kind, compassionate Friend; if I but ask him, he will deliver, Make of my troubles quickly an end.” These words remind us of King Solomon’s prayer found in 2 Chronicles 6. In dedicating the temple representing God’s presence in their midst, he offered prayer on behalf of his people. In praying, he envisioned various life situations his people would face and need God’s intervention to help them. He prayed that when their crops failed, when an enemy invaded their land, or when trouble of any sort overtook them, God would hear their prayer and come to their rescue. Since Christ has come, we do not need a physical edifice to indicate God’s presence. Today, God’s Spirit dwells within those who accept Christ as their Savior; and we can go directly into the very presence of God and pour out our heart cries to Him. In Hebrews 4:16 we read, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
