If there is a word that I use frequently throughout the day, it is the word “help”. It seems like I am using that word more lately than ever before! Where should I go for this help? The writer to the Hebrews invites us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) God knows that His people will need His help, and thus He invites us to come to Him as often as we need to.
The Psalmist declared that God is both the help and shield for His people (Psalm 33:20). There is never a time when God leaves us on our own, for He is “a very present help in time of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) Even the best of friends and family cannot always be there when we need them, or be able to provide the kind of help that we need. Perhaps that is what the Psalmist had in mind when he wrote about the help of man being vain (Psalm 60:11). However, once you have experienced the help of God, there is a sense of joy in hiding in the shadow of His wings in those times of need (Psalm 63:7).
Are you in some kind of difficulty or crisis this morning? Scripture says that man is born into a life of trouble (Job 14:1), and Jesus confirms that fact (John 16:33). In our continuing study on prayer, our passages tell us that the place to look when we are in need is not within, not out, but up to God (Psalm 121:1,2, 123:1). Beloved, God has made provision for our every care (Philippians 4:6-7) through prayer (1 Peter 5:7). He simply tells us to look to Him. To those whose hearts are overwhelmed because of the tensions in the Middle East and the threat of nuclear war, “look up,… your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) Perhaps you are struggling in your walk, reeling under the weight of some easily besetting sin. Look unto Jesus Christ afresh this morning (Hebrews 12:1-3). Perhaps your crisis is a financial one; and for that we are to look to Jehovah Jireh (Philippians 4:19).
The greatest need of mankind is salvation, and God has made provision for sinners to be forgiven by placing faith in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1,2). Whether it be the salvation of your soul, the healing of a sick body, or a battle with depression….whatever the need, there is only one real place to look, and that is UP. And there is only one Lord and Savior to look to, and He is Jesus Christ (Jude 24,25).
