God is Our Help

Today we’re meditating upon the truth that God is our very present help at ALL times, but especially in the times of trouble.

God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. (Ps 46:1 CEB)

In my distress I called on the Lord, and cried for help to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry for help came before Him to His ears. (Ps 18:6 MEV)

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Ps 121:2 NIV)

Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Ps 124:8 NKJV)

I am the Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. (Isa 41:13 CEV)

As these passages from the Scriptures remind us, God is not only our refuge and strength, but He is the One who helps us.

Whenever we are in trouble, pain or distress, the Lord wants us to turn to Him for help and for deliverance. Who better to help us than the very One who created the heaven and the earth? Because the Lord is holding our hand, we need never be afraid. We can be assured that He is ever with us to help us, deliver us, and to save us. Glory be to God most High!

A Permanent Covenant

A covenant is a relationship between two parties who make binding promises to each other and work together to reach their common goal.

We are currently living in “New Covenant” times. This covenant defines a new relationship between God and man mediated by Jesus Christ and based upon a sincere declaration that one believes in Jesus Christ as Lord, God, and Savior.

Today, we are meditating upon this covenant that believers have with the Lord.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isa 54:10 NIV)

Neither God’s love—nor His covenant of peace—will be shaken or upset. Glory to God!

Pay attention to me, come to me; and listen, so that you may live; then I’ll make an everlasting covenant with you, as promised by my faithful, sure love for David. (Isa 55:3 ISV)

As our title today tells us, we have an everlasting covenant with the Lord. It will not end.

I will not break my agreement nor change what I have said. (Ps 89:34 NCV)

God is stating clearly that He will never break His Word or change His promises to us. We can rely upon His stability and His dependability. Thus, our faith may rest upon a flawless foundation. Hallelujah!

Our Talents & Gifts Make A Way for Us

Whatever gifts and talents that the Lord has given to us, individually, will surely open doors and opportunities for us. It is up to us to use these opportunities in service of God and of His Kingdom.

Let’s turn to the Bible:

A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. (Pro 18:16 NASB)

Your talents will bring you before “great” men. What does that mean? It can mean that our talents and skills open opportunities for us with people who are:

Famous.
Eminent in their field.
Wealthy,
Skillful or talented, or
Powerful.

A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers. (Pro 17:8 NKJV)

An ability to make wise investments will certainly bring a person to the attention of many. A proficiency with mathematics or statistics will open a multitude of opportunities to an individual. An aptitude for remembering facts and a competence in using those facts to advantage is another skill that will take a person to great heights. These are the types and kinds of “gifts” or “presents” referred to in this verse of the Bible.

And now this present which your maidservant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. (1 Sam 25:27 NKJV)

Even a physical gift can be used wisely to give a person an advantage in a situation. We are called to pray about our gifts and talents and to use them to the best use of the Kingdom of God. Along the way, don’t be surprised if the Lord blesses you with prosperity and favor, as well! Have a blessed day!

Stay Away from Sin & Darkness

The Lord gives us, in His Word, not only wisdom, revelation, and insight; but He also gives us admonitions, warnings, and advice. Let’s review a few of these admonitions today.

. . . and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what is done by these disobedient people in secret. (Eph 5:11-12 ISV)

Not only should we avoid sin and occasions to sin, but we shouldn’t even speak about other peoples’ sin. The reason is because the Bible alerts us to the fact that to do so is shameful. We are called to expose sin as the dark evil that it truly is.

Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light. (Ro 13:12 CEV)

We are called by Jesus Christ, who is the bright and morning star (Rev 22:16), to live in the light of God’s love.

Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) states: But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light . . . We are called OUT OF darkness, sin, and sorrow into the light of God’s salvation, love, and blessings. Glory to God most High!

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints . . . (Eph 5:3 KJV)

Such sins as are mentioned in the verse above should not be participated in by born-again Christians who desire to follow Jesus. They are harmful to us and to the body of Christ.

But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (Ro 6:21 NIV)

The end of sin is death in many forms. Some of the fruits of sin are shame, guilt, and separation from God. Not one of these so-called fruits is desirable.

From this study we can certainly see that it is for our good that God gives us these counsels. Let us draw near to God and avail ourselves of His grace, love, and goodness.

Our True Daily Bread

Bread is a symbol of many things. In the Old Testament, the Lord provided bread from heaven when His people were wandering in the wilderness after escaping from Egypt. (Ex 16:4, 14, 31) In this context, bread was a forceful symbol of God’s provision for His people.

For decades in America, the husband in a family was referred to, in informal terms, as the breadwinner. Even now, bread is a synonym for money.

Let’s read what God’s Word says about bread.

Give us today our daily bread. (Mt 6:11 NIV)

Give us day by day our daily bread. (Lk 11:3 ASV)

Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’ ” (Mt 4:4 CEV)

In the above verse, Jesus reminds us that we need to know and love God’s Word as much as we do our daily food.

Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” ³²Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (Joh 6:31-35 ESV)

In John, chapter 6, Jesus clearly declares Himself to be the true bread from heaven. Through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we become partakers in eternal life. It is vital to maintain an ongoing faith in Jesus and an ongoing relationship with Him because we need to depend upon Him continually for our every need.

The Lord Jesus proved Himself to be forgiving, merciful and loving to those who followed Him. He was a fount of wisdom and grace, and being in His presence provided a powerful blessing. He was also the hand of God who healed the sick, maimed, deaf, blind, and hurting. People received deliverance and miracles and wonders through the ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb 13:8)

Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. (1 Cor 10:16-17 NIV)

When we partake of the Communion elements, we are remembering the sacrifice and obedience of Jesus. Through the ceremony of remembrance—which is the observance of Communion—we declare our unfailing gratitude to God for the precious gift of salvation that we have received. Praise the Lord!

Jesus, Our High Tower & Our Safe Place

One of the mightiest defenses that we have in this world to help us fight against the tactics of Satan, is the name of the Lord.

John 17:12 (AMP) Jesus is speaking: While I was with them, I kept and preserved them in Your Name [in the knowledge and worship of You]. Those You have given Me I guarded and protected . . .

Jesus was communicating this idea: ‘I kept them in that High Tower, inside that NAME—I kept them there; they were in that lofty place.’ Remember the 70 that were chosen to be sent out said, “even the devils are subject to us in Your Name!”

There are numerous Bible verses referring to the Lord as our high tower—our stronghold, our refuge.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. (Ps 18:2 AMP, emphasis added)

The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah. (Ps 46:7; 46:11 AMP, emphasis added)

O [God] my strength, I will watch for You; for God is my stronghold [my refuge, my protector, my high tower]. (Ps 59:9 AMP, emphasis added)

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ³For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. (Ps 61:2-3 NKJV) Jesus is the Rock. (1 Cor 10:4; Ps 78:35)

But the Lord has become my high tower and defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. (Ps 94:22 AMP)

My lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. (Ps 144:2 NKJV, emphasis added)

A high tower represented safety to people in biblical times; it was used for defensive purposes. (Jud 9:51) Watchmen would be posted upon high towers to keep a lookout for enemies (human or animal), and the watchmen would sound an alarm when they saw danger approaching.

High towers also served as a protection for people, animals, and goods. They were used as a fortress in times of war. It served as a last retreat when a town was taken by an enemy. The people would flee to the high tower along with their valuable possessions.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil]. (Pro 18:10 AMP)

“The Lord is a strong tower in fearful and scary times. It is the name of the Lord that is our
strong tower. It is the place of safety which God promises to those who
run to Him. The name of the Lord is a Biblical expression for the whole
character of God. The name of the Lord refers to God’s person and character.”

~ (Source: https://www.cui.edu/devotions/lent/2019/post/the-name-of-the-lord/day/40)

Jesus’ name is our high tower; and when we turn to Him, we are set far above evil. Let us praise and worship the Lord for His mercy, love, and protection. Thank You, Lord!

The Lord Saves His Servants

The Lord is committed to those of us who follow Him and serve Him. His Word testifies to this truth repeatedly.

The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. (Ps 34:22 NKJV) This is just one of the Lord’s promises to His people. NONE who trust in Him shall be condemned.

The poor can run to you because you are a fortress in times of trouble. ¹⁰Everyone who honors your name can trust you, because you are faithful to all who depend on you. (Ps 9:9-10 CEV) Our God is a fortress in times of trouble. He is faithful to ALL who depend upon Him. God cannot lie. (Tit 1:2)

. . . who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion . . . (Ps 103:4 NIV) Not only does the Lord redeem our lives from hell but He also crowns us with His love and compassion. Praise the Lord!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:31-32 ESV) If God is on our side, but no one can succeed or gain victory over the Lord. Since the Lord didn’t spare His own Son, it is certain that along with our salvation He freely gives us all that we need.

We are blessed to serve a faithful and loving God.

The Holy Spirit in Us

As the Scriptures tell us, the Lord has placed His Spirit within all believers. In some places, the Bible even says that God poured out His Spirit upon us!

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezek 36:27 NKJV)

And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God. (Ezek 39:29 NKJV)

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. (Ac 2:33 NKJV)

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Cor 3:16 NIV)

The person who keeps his commandments abides in God, and God abides in him. This is how we can be sure that he remains in us: he has given us his Spirit. (1 Joh 3:24 ISV)

We need to listen for the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit daily. We need to be continuously sensitive to His presence within us. The Holy Spirit was given to all believers to be a helper and teacher, and to guide us into all truth. (Joh 14:26; 16:13)

The Holy Spirit within a believer is the source of our revelation, wisdom and power. (1 Cor 2:10-11; Jas 1:5; Ac 1:8) The Holy Spirit supplies spiritual gifts to believers. (1 Cor 12:7-11) God, the Holy Spirit, has specific roles and obligations in the life of every believer. Take time as soon as possible to study this key feature of your salvation. God bless you!

Reject Anger

As followers of the Lord Jesus, we have to make a decision to reject anger as an option in our dealings with one another and with the Lord.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. (Ps 37:8-9 NKJV)

Anger and wrath only cause harm and heartaches. But all who wait upon the salvation of the Lord will inherit the earth.

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly. (Pro 14:29 NKJV)

A person who hardly ever gets angry is called understanding by the Word of God.

You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; ²⁰for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. (Jas 1:19-20 NASB)

Our human anger doesn’t bring about the righteousness of God, so it is a weapon that we need to abandon. A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is to his credit that he ignores an offence. (Pro 19:11 ISV)

In every way, it is best to seek the Lord and to rely upon Him to lead us and guide us in our responses and our reactions. Glory to God.

God Holds Us

The Word of God tells us that the Lord has engraved [inscribed, imprinted, etched] us on the palms of His own hands! Wow! What a concept! That’s worth meditating upon.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . (Isa 49:16a ESV)

God also tells us that He holds us by the hand, and He reminds us that He is the One who helps us. What an honor and a blessing to be helped by the all-powerful, living God! He is not only “close” to us, but He is actually holding us by the hand. Glory!

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.” (Isa 41:13 ESV)

Even if people who are blood relatives of ours desert us, our Savior God holds us close to His heart. He will never leave us nor disown [reject] us. (Hebrews 13:5) God’s love is constant, enduring and unfailing. (Ps 136:26; Rom 8:39)

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. (Ps 27:10 NLT)

NO ONE has the strength, might or power to be able to take us out of our Father God’s hand. Praise the Lord!

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (Joh 10:29 ESV, emphasis added)

The Lord says that He is our God for our entire lives. Once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, He cares for us and will carry us and save us—even into eternity!

I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isa 46:4 NLT) The Lord upholds [sustains] our very lives. (Isa 54:4 NLT)

Did you realize that? Return His perfect love and worship Him today!

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