The Daily Devotional
Monday, February 16, 2026
The Line That Never Fails
“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” — Psalm 18:6
Introduction
On February 16, 1968, history was made in the small town of Haleyville, Alabama. While the United States had long struggled with a fragmented emergency response system—relying on everything from town criers to scattered police boxes—this date marked a unified solution. B.W. Gallagher and Robert Fitzgerald of the Alabama Telephone Company moved with incredible speed, designing and installing the first system in less than a week.
On that Friday, a bright red rotary phone rang in the police station. Congressman Tom Bevill picked up the receiver and answered Alabama Speaker Rankin Fite with a simple "Hello." That single word inaugurated the 9-1-1 system. Today, over 240 million calls are made annually to this number, providing a universal lifeline for those in distress. It reminds us that in moments of crisis, the most important thing is knowing exactly who to call.
Reflection
Before 9-1-1 became the standard, there was significant debate about who should answer emergency calls. Fire chiefs argued they needed the direct line; police departments insisted they were better equipped; hospitals believed they should be the primary contact. It was a bureaucratic tug-of-war over who was best suited to save lives.
In our spiritual lives, we often face a similar confusion during our own emergencies. When anxiety strikes or tragedy looms, we frantically look for a lifeline. We might call a friend, but they are busy. We might look to an expert, but they are unavailable. We scramble to find the "right department" to handle our pain.
There is a profound comfort in knowing that God does not have jurisdiction disputes. He is the Unified Commander of our souls. He is the Protector (like the police), the Rescuer from the flames (like the fire department), and the Great Physician (like the hospital).
Consider the simplicity of that first call in 1968. It wasn't a complex code or a formal speech; it was answered with a simple "Hello." Often, we feel our prayers need to be eloquent or structured to be heard. But God is not waiting for a formal presentation. He is waiting for the ring. He is available 24/7, with no busy signals and no hold music. Whether you are calling from a "wireless device" on the go or from the quiet of your home, He is ready to answer with a presence that says, "I am here."
Application
Today, consider the "speed dial" of your heart. When stress or trouble arises, is God your first call, or your last resort? The challenge for today is to treat prayer not just as a catastrophic emergency line, but as an open channel. You don't need to wait for a crisis to check the connection. Take a moment to make a "non-emergency" call to God right now—not to ask for rescue, but simply to say "Hello" and thank Him that the line is always open.
Conclusion
Just as the red phone in Haleyville revolutionized public safety by providing a single, reliable number for help, God provides us with a single, reliable source for spiritual peace. We live in a world where 240 million calls for help go out every year, proving we are a people in need of rescue. Thankfully, we serve a God who is always ready to answer.
Prayer
Gracious and hearing God, I thank You that I do not need a special code or a specific location to reach You. Thank You for being my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. When I am overwhelmed by the emergencies of life, remind me that You are the first call I should make. Quiet my anxious heart, listen to my simple prayers, and help me rest in the assurance that You are always on the line, ready to listen and able to save. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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