“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” … “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:1, 10). “For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death” (Psalm 48:14) [Speaking about the God of the Bible, the only true God]!
“In 1714, Queen Anne of England lay dying, and she had no son or daughter to succeed her. Who would be the new ruler? All of Britain was concerned.
Isaac Watts had reason to worry. His father had been imprisoned under the previous regime because his views did not please the ruling family. As a young child, Isaac had been carried by his mother to visit his father in jail. Queen Anne had brought a new tolerance and had given freedom to Isaac’s father. But now what?
Isaac Watts turned to Psalm 90 for his answers, and he wrote a hymn (cited below) about time. God stands above time, and in Him all our anxieties can be laid to rest. When the events of the day bring worry and concern, the God of the ages remains our eternal refuge.”
“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
Under the shadow of Thy throne still may we dwell secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten, as a dream, dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; Be Thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.”
Taken from William J. and Ardythe Petersen, The Complete Book of Hymns ©Tyndale House Publishers, 2006
God’s Help Network
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Not too long ago I did a little study on God’s help network, as I call it. God does not help those who help themselves, but those who call on Him to help them!
- Help from God the Father (Psalm 46:1).
- Help from God the Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16).
- Help from God the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
- Help from God’s ministering angels (Hebrews 1:14).
- Help from human beings:
- Family and relatives (I Timothy 5:8).
- Church and friends (Acts 6:1-4; I Timothy 5:16).
- Government (Romans 13:4).
- Other agencies
- Help from the Word of God, the Bible (Romans 15:4)!
With the Psalmist we should echo, “My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2)!
Teacher - Feature 