The Sure Resource!

James Smith

"The Lord is my Helper!" Hebrews 13:6

Creatures sometimes would help us — but they cannot; and sometimes they could — but they will not. Yet the Christian need not be discouraged; he has a Friend who can, and is always willing to help him: it is his God — his sure resource. He may be disappointed by others; but this is divinely appointed, in order to lead him to trust only in his God.

Beloved, our God loves to help us Himself. It is His delight to do us good. He is pleased to see us coming to Him for assistance, or for grace, or for His blessing; especially if we come in a filial spirit, as children to a Father. He asks our confidence, and approves of our dependence upon His faithfulness and Word. Therefore He says to us, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will help you, I will strengthen you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness!" "I will never leave you, I will never, no never, no never, forsake you!" So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my Helper — so I will not be afraid."

Help is sure to be needed — for we have . . .
   many difficulties to overcome,
   many foes to conquer,
   many trials to endure,
   many duties to perform,
   and many privileges to enjoy.
But not one of them can be attended to with success — without divine help.

We have to . . .
  maintain our profession,
  mortify sin,
  cultivate holiness,
  live above the world,
  exercise our graces,
  and labor for God —
but such is our ignorance, and such is our weakness — that unless we are assisted by divine wisdom and strengthened by divine power — we shall utterly fail in every point!

But if God is our helper, if we daily feel our dependence on Him, and if we live upon Him for all we need — we shall know, as the Apostle did, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

The Lord will help the poor, the needy, the afflicted; indeed, every one who, believing His Word, desires His help, and pleads for it at His throne in the name of Jesus.

His strength is made perfect in our weakness. "He is the strength of the poor." He is our helper, and a very present help in time of trouble. He is always near us — but especially then.

He is a powerful, an omnipotent helper; He has Heaven, earth, and Hell at His command. It is nothing for Him to help. He can work deliverance by the weakest and meanest instruments; and often does, in order to confound the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

He is a wise and judicious helper, and affords His assistance in such a way as to . . .
hide pride from men;
exercise the graces of His people;
try the sincerity of those who profess to rely upon Him;
and keep His saints humble at His footstool.

He equally displays His grace, wisdom, and power in . . .
the help He affords,
the supplies He sends,
and the deliverances He works.

Believer, see what you have to expect! You will be tried. You will feel your own weakness. You will learn more and more your need of divine help. Yes, you will be brought to see that only the Lord can afford you the help you need — that you need a helper, who is . . .
infinite in wisdom,
omnipotent in power, and
whose grace is immutable and free.

See to whom you are to look for help in every duty, trial or conflict — to the Lord, to the Lord always, for all that you need — and to Him alone.

See what you are to do — believe His Word, plead at His throne, and prove Him faithful and true.

See how you should plan, "if the Lord wills!"

See how you should purpose, "I will go in the strength of the Lord!"

See in what you may triumph, "The Lord is my helper!"