Dial 9-1-1!

It was January 4, 1990. I was a bank manager for an International bank in Las Vegas, Nevada where I lived at the time. It was my second day on the job. The bank had been open for a few hours and already we were busy. The teller line extended to the door of my small branch and there were customers seated at every desk.

I was standing at my loan officer’s desk when I just happened to look up at the door. At that second a man walked in. He was wearing a ski mask. Okay, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that a ski mask-covered head means trouble.

The events I am about to tell you about happened in less than one minute. Nevertheless, even today, I can see them rolling in slow motion through my brain in vivid color.

The masked man proceeded to walk to the center of the lobby, among the customers; he pivoted, raised his hand and pointed a gun directly at the camera above the door then fired a single shot. The camera exploded, the tellers screamed, the poor old man seating at new accounts wet his pants. At this point the lobby was in chaos. People were terrified and screaming in panic. Fear doesn’t begin to describe the scene.

The masked robber ordered everyone against the wall.

Next the gunman proceeded to a teller, waived his gun, and demanded money.

Now I cannot explain why but I began to move. I worked my way, inching along the wall, to a hallway where I was out of sight and ran for the phone.

I dialed 9-1-1.

I was able to provide a description of the bandit. Police were in route.

On several occasions through out my professional career, I was in a place where I needed outside protection and help. I called 911 several times for various reasons. One time a child passed out and went into convulsions. I dialed, 9-1-1!

Although I have not needed assistance from the police or paramedics since leaving the corporate world, I still dial 911. I place a 911 call to my Protector when I am afraid. I call 911 when I face uncertainty or insurmountable odds or just raw need. I call often.

Here is my 911 call: (Please read these words like you have never read them before)

Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Lord God, You stand offering refuge in Your fortress. You long for us to seek freedom from fear and the terror of night. Although many fail and fall all around us, You command Your angels to guard us in all we do.

You say, “Because She loves me, I will rescue her. I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name. She will call upon me, and I will answer her. I will be with her in trouble; I will deliver her and honor her. With long life will I satisfy her and show her my salvation.” Amen

The 911 passage for God’s children: Psalm 91.

PS. The masked bandit was apprehended several months later much to the relief of bankers everywhere.

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