The One Who Helps

There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the help that we receive from God. He gives us strength (Ps. 28:7, Is. 12:2, etc.), safety (Ps. 4:8, Ps. 55:18, etc.), and comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-4). He provides us with armor for spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-18) and a way out of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). He gives us His righteousness (Is. 61:10, etc.), good gifts (Matt. 7:11), and spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). While all these things are true and amazing, each of these passages and many more focus on the nature of the help we are given, but there is another passage that takes a noticeably different focus.

We find it in Isaiah 41. In verse 10, God tells His people:

“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” (ESV).

 

Here we begin to get a hint at where the emphasis lies. Strength, help, and upholding are the gifts received, but the repetition of the subject, “I,” should catch our attention. “I am…I am…I will…I will…I will.”

 

In verses 13 and 14, the point becomes more clear:

“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.”

 

Again, the support and help are mentioned, but this time the focus is on who it is that is giving the help rather than on the help itself. The all-caps “LORD,” indicating the name Yahweh, followed by the phrase “your God,” shows that God is referring to Himself as the covenantal God who enters into relationship with us and can therefore be claimed as “ours.” Once identifying Himself, He continues with, “it is I…I am the one…I am the one…your Redeemer is [Me].” Why is this significant? Because it reminds us of where our focus should be and fills us with a deeper understanding of the value of the gifts we receive.

 

So often we find comfort in thoughts of the help we receive from God. And certainly, there is comfort to be found there. If we’re anxious, we can find peace. If we’re afraid, we can find confidence. If we’re exhausted, we can find rest. But how often do we turn our thoughts to the Source of the help we seek? How often do we really contemplate that it is the Prince of Peace who calms us? It is the Rock of Ages who assures us. It is the Good Shepherd who restores us. It is the Creator who inspires us. It is the Lamb of God who saves us. It is the Friend of Sinners who intercedes for us. It is the Mighty God who arms us. It is the Wonderful Counselor who guides us.

 

How often do we take all that we know about the character and personality of God and apply it to our understanding of who helps us, recognizing that He is the One who will “graciously give us all things” (Rom. 8:32, ESV). How often do we remind ourselves, with the Psalmist, “From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1b-2, ESV).

 

Just as we would value directions given from a local more than we would from a fellow tourist or have more confidence in chair built by a carpenter rather than by a chef, in the same way, when we recognize the nature of our Helper, we can be assured that His help is of the utmost quality. The peace that comes from God is a deep, enduring peace that only He can give. The assurance that comes from Him is complete because He’s the One that made our salvation possible in the first place. The rest that He gives is the most satisfying because He is the One who designed our bodies, spirits, and souls. The ideas He gives are the most inspiring because He is the ultimate Creative. The salvation He gives is eternal because He was the only one able to live a completely holy life and pay the penalty that we owed for our unholy ones. The intercession He gives is perfect because He is both all-knowing and Love itself. The armor He gives us is the strongest there is because He is all-powerful. The guidance He gives is the truest there is because He is all-wise.

 

So the next time you’re in need of help—of any kind—be reminded as you pray of whom you are praying to. Remember that it is the LORD your God who holds your hand, that He is the One who helps you. Remember that He is the One who gives you everything you need and more. Remember all the things He has revealed to us about who He is, and revel in the wonder of it, for, after all, the greatest gift He gives us is Himself.

PC: Rose Creger Tankard. Used with permission.