September 16, 2024
"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!
May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion."
- Psalm 20:1-2 (NKJV)
The year 1719 was filled with lots of uncertainties and turmoil. Economies were crashing and the future then looked quite bleak. Amid everything that was happening, a man named Isaac Watts composed and wrote a hymn that offered hope and reassurance to the people around him, a hymn which continues to inspire that same sentiment till date – “O God Our Help In Ages Past”. This hymn talks about God’s unchanging presence and help, irrespective of happenings around us.
Today, we will explore three outcomes we can expect when God helps a person.
The first thing we can expect is PROMOTION (Psalm 20:1). When God helps us, He positions and places us where we can make the most impact for The Kingdom. He uses everything we have experienced to point others to Him. God’s promotion lifts us from our current situations and puts us in places that align with His glory and purpose for our lives. Remember Joseph, who was sold into slavery and imprisoned.
When God helps us, we can expect promotion, rest, and victory.
When God helped him, He elevated Joseph from being a slave to becoming the number two man in a foreign land, not for Joseph’s glory, but to save the lives of the Israelites and the Egyptians during the famine. God’s promotion leads us to places and experiences beyond our imagination. It's not for our glory, but for His (Genesis 50:20).
The second thing we can expect when God helps us, is REST. In 2 Chronicles 14:6-7 Asa’s reign was marked by a period of peace and prosperity because they received the help of God (2 Chronicles 14:6b - he had no war in those years, because The Lord had given him rest). Everything they wanted to achieve became possible, because God had provided them with a stable and secure environment for growth and increase. They were able to focus on more productive activities like building and fortifying their cities. When we seek God, and ask for His Help, He gives us rest on all sides (1 Kings 5:4) leading to the cessation of trouble or any issues.
The third thing we can expect when we receive the help of God is VICTORY. Asa and his army were facing a major threat from their enemies in 2 Chronicles 14. Asa knew that they could not defeat the Kushites, so he called on God for help, and God responded by striking their enemies with fear and giving them victory. No matter how daunting our enemies or the situations we face may seem, when God helps us, He grants us victory over our them as He is always ready to turn things around even in the seemingly impossible situations.
God’s help is a complete package with add-ons. It includes wisdom, strength, and resources that meet and exceed your needs. In whatever battle you are facing today, turn to God and call on Him for help. Our God is mighty to save, and delights in helping His children (Zephaniah 3:17)
Song of Worship
O God Our Help In Ages Past
Our Hope For Years To Come
Our Shelter From The Stormy Blast
And Our Eternal Hope
Song O God, Our Help In Ages Past by Isaac Watts (1719)
Prayer - May I enter into my rest. That thing I lost that has caused me agitation—may God give me rest and restoration. I enter into my rest in Jesus' name, and as I step into this season of rest, may I begin to build and prosper. May Psalm 20:1-2 be fulfilled in my life in every way. So, it is, and so it shall be, in Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.
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