Help #1 – Holy Help

“Help! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody. Help! Y’know I need someone to HELP!” “The salvation of the righteous is from the Eternal. He is their strength in time of trouble, and he helps them, and delivers them … from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.” “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” So we turn in the next few weeks to consider texts which convey promise grace to help in time of need.

Moses said, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Eternal which he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Eternal will fight for you while you keep silent.” Exodus 14:13-14

Sometimes when we are following God, he leads us into impossible situations. God didn’t part the Red Sea because Israel got lost and it was easier to part the water than to turn that mob around and head them in the right direction. They were stuck because they followed the fiery pillar and obeyed God’s command through Moses. They were stuck because God had not finished teaching them about how thorough he was in his salvation. They were stuck because they needed another dose of God’s glorious power before they headed to Sinai to become a nation. They were stuck because they needed to learn to replace their peevish profanity with patient prayer. It’s all about worship. When Israel left Egypt, they left to worship the holy one of Israel. But they did not know him well enough to worship appropriately. So God, in his grace, put them in a desperate situation so they could learn how how valuable he is, how worthy to be worshiped. They needed to passionately appreciate his supremacy in all things. Helping the helpless is how he produces it.

Who is like you among the gods, Lord Jesus? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises? Open my eyes to the display of your glory through my helplessness. Amen.