Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10 ESV
It’s quite hilarious how we look to fellow human beings for help in this world. In our different countries, we look to politicians to improve things; unsurprisingly, they always fail or disappoint. Then we hear another politician’s talk, and our next thought is – that’s the right person and then they fail to meet our expectations. A continued cycle of failed expectations.
Countries also look to other countries for help through alliances sometimes because of their technological, scientific and economic development or advancement. In the hope that when trouble arrives, they can look to each other for help and support. But guess what? Alliances break down and when trouble arrives there is no help as planned.
You may have been disappointed by those you trusted to help or support you whether in your family, community, at work or even in the church. Sadly, we too have disappointed people. This is mainly because we are all human and have struggles in our lives, whether rich or poor.
“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.” Psalm 60:11 and 108:12 (KJV)
God will inevitably use people to help us. God will not descend to earth physically or personally to offer the necessary help. The idea, however, is not to overly put our trust in man because they can easily disappoint. Some may even make unrealistic demands or conditions for their help. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” Psalm 146:3 (ESV)
In Isaiah 41, God was trying to get through to the Israelites that they were chosen and that He was ready to help them even though they had turned to idolatry and false gods. They didn’t seem to understand God’s love for them and how powerful He was. Between verses 10 and 14, God said three times, “Fear not and I will help you (once) and I am the one who helps you (twice)”.
Likewise, God has chosen you through Jesus Christ by His grace and mercy and He is ready and willing to help you. He might not help you in the way you want or expect but He will help because He is a Promise Keeping God.
I find the next verses very exciting because, in verses 11 and 12 (ESV), God tells us what He will do to help us: “Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.”
It does not matter what type of trouble you are in, self-inflicted (like the Israelites) or not. He is ready to help you. The only question is, as a believer, are you going to turn to God or man?
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 