The expression above is a metaphor that (from all I can learn) comes from the world of gambling. However, we use it often in a totally different way to describe life situations that we all face rather frequently. Things like family crises or economic tight spots or serious medical problems (like the surgery I have coming up in a couple of weeks) are situations where this expression comes to mind. At such times it seems life is saying to us, “Ok, who do you turn to when the chips are down?” In all our lives such mentally and spiritually trying times come unavoidably. We need very badly to have found the answer to this question with our God before the crisis arrives.

Jesus came to a time in His ministry where a huge portion of His followers were “turning back and walking with Him no more.” (John 6:66) Jesus had just said to the large group of followers, “he who feeds on this bread (meaning Jesus himself, the bread of life) will live forever.” Apparently most of the people thought this was just to much dedication to commit to (“too hard”). So they simply “turned” away from Him. He turned to those who were closest to Him (the twelve) and said: “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67)

This had been a “who do I turn to when the chips are down” moment. Most decided to look elsewhere. In what had to be a heart-rending moment for Jesus, he turns to the twelve who had not gone away and asks whether they want to abandon Him too. Now, for the twelve, “the chips are down.” Dear old volatile but faith-filled Peter looks deep inside himself and speaks an answer to Jesus question that needs to reside deep in our hearts, ready there to surface at any moment of crisis or difficulty. For us, like Peter, bursting from our totally persuaded hearts of faith and love for Jesus, these same words must pour forth. The beautiful faith-words are, “my Lord, to whom shall I go, you have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

Don’t wait for a crisis to arrive to find this kind of trust-closeness with Jesus. It just doesn’t work. He’ll know your main focus is your own problem, not Him. He may just turn to you and say: “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23) Obviously Jesus wants to “know us,” not just be our life-preserver when crisis comes.

In reality, “the chips are down” for us all with each beat of our hearts. Now is the only time we have to “draw near to Him” and have Him draw near to us. From wherever you are, come close to Jesus now, so when crisis comes, you and He will be beloved friends and He will be there for you to “turn to.”