Help!

News about the Irish economy suggests that the cry will go up soon, 'Help!'. In the muddled world of international banking and loans, the loss of confidence in the Irish government's plans for weathering the storm has led to the storm getting much worse.
But news from Haiti suggests that they too will be crying 'Help!' again, as cholera takes lives at an accelerating rate. Providing the targeted help before it is too late requires both an accurate diagnosis and efficient application of the life saving remedy.
Jesus announced that he was the answer to people's cries of 'Help!'. In his day, there were others who also promised to be the answer. But his claim is special. '“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.  “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.' (John 10.11-15 edited)
Too many of us have experienced the disappointment and let down when those we hoped might help us turn out to be 'hired hands' - running away in our time of need. But not Jesus, as he repeatedly reminds us that his proof of being up to the job is that he sacrificed himself for us. The people of Haiti need to know the care and miracles of the Good Shepherd, as to the people of Ireland. But we can all find security there - if we will entrust ourselves to Him. Today, we can rest in being known by Jesus and knowing Him for ourselves.
Best wishes,
Richard