The One Who Helps

“But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen;..
you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, ‘You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off’;
fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“Behold, all who are incensed against you
    shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
    shall be as nothing and shall perish…
For I, the Lord your God,
    hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not,
    I am the one who helps you.’

“Fear not, you worm Jacob,
    you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord;
    your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel…

“When the poor and needy seek water,
    and there is none,
    and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them;
    I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.
I will set in the desert the cypress,
    the plane and the pine together,
that they may see and know,
    may consider and understand together,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
    the Holy One of Israel has created it.” Isaiah 41:8-11,13-14,17-20

Uneasy over an unknown future, poor and needy, weak and frightened, attacked, thirsty, overcome with no relief. God’s people languished, but God was their very present help. There was no dearth or ineptitude the Lord could not, would not, touch and relieve. He called, He held, He kept. He answered their need, never forsook, and ordered nature to provide. (Psalm 46:1; John 14:16-17)

And so He does for us. Every day. We face foreboding diagnoses, the insecurity of joblessness, relational challenges, temptations toward strange affections. Yet we have an ever-present Helper abiding in us and with us ready to assist, undertake, uplift, redirect, defend, and save. (Romans 8:31-34)

What dilemma or difficulty are we facing in weakness? Have we asked God for wisdom and strength? If under spiritual attack with doubt or worry, or physical pressure with health or want, would we run to Jesus and the promises in His name and be safe? (Proverbs 18:10)

“A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

“Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.” ~Martin Luther (1529)

Lord my Helper, in every rush and challenge keep me strong and trusting in Thee.