God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

— Psalm 46:1

Many years ago, during a harsh winter in the early north east part of America, I had an encounter I will never forget.

It was the day after a heavy snowfall. The roads were not completely cleared, with piles of snow pushed up on both sides—almost four to five feet high. Though the plows had passed through, the roads were still icy and slippery. I needed to drive my daughter to school from our apartment complex, so I carefully got into the car and began to drive.

Those who live in snowy places will understand what I mean when I say it was quite challenging. As I slowly drove out of the apartment area, my car began to slide. I tried to apply the brakes, but that only made the car wobble even more. In an attempt to avoid sliding into the main road and getting hit by another car, I steered toward the pile of snow. Panicking, I accidentally pressed the gas pedal—and within seconds, the front of my car was buried deep in the snow.

My three-year-old daughter began to cry, panicking because she didn’t want to be late for school. I tried to open the car door, but it was stuck against the snowbank. I took a deep breath, calmed her down, and told her, “Let’s pray and ask God to send an angel to help us.” She bowed her little head and prayed.

By God’s grace, I managed to open the front door, get out, and lift my daughter from the backseat. We started walking carefully on the slippery road toward the apartment office, hoping someone could help us pull the car out.

As we walked, I heard the rumble of a vehicle behind us. Turning around, I saw a snow-cleaning truck approaching. To my surprise, the driver stopped and asked, “Do you need help?”

I quickly explained what had happened. Without hesitation, he jumped out of his truck, got into my car, and tried to reverse it—but it was too deeply buried. Then, he pulled out a tow chain, crawled under my car, hooked it up, and used his truck to pull my car free from the snowbank.

Slowly, my car came out. My daughter jumped with joy as she realized that God had answered our prayer—right away!

I looked at the man—his face radiant, with striking blue eyes—and said, “We prayed for God to send an angel to help us, and you look like one.” He simply smiled, got back into his truck, and drove away.

As we headed toward the school, I noticed in the rearview mirror that his truck was still behind us for a while before turning out of the complex. That truck didn’t belong to our apartment community. Out of three different entrances, he somehow came through the one where my car was stuck. It truly felt like God rerouted him—a literal U-turn from heaven.

Tears welled up in my eyes. In that helpless situation, when we cried out for help, God truly was our “very present help in trouble.”

In today’s world, it’s rare to find someone who helps without expecting something in return. Many times, help comes with conditions or hidden motives—but our God is not like that. When we call on Him through Jesus Christ, He answers willingly, completely, and faithfully.

He doesn’t stop helping us based on how complicated our problem is. He stays with us—from the beginning to the end.

David was a man who constantly sought the Lord’s help. At every step of his journey, he turned to God, and the Lord delivered him time after time.

Even today, when you ask God for help, the Maker of heaven and earth will respond. He is the only Helper who neither slumbers nor forsakes you in your time of need.

God keeps no record of how many times He has rescued us. He is waiting to hear your voice—ready to help, comfort, and strengthen you. He is our Ebenezer—our stone of help.

Like David, when you sought the Lord, He will hear and He will answer.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my refuge and strength. In every moment of trouble, You have proven Yourself faithful. Help me to trust You completely and to call upon You first in every situation. Thank You for being my ever-present help and my Ebenezer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.