Help!

Introduction

In these times of hardship and difficulty every one of us could use a little help. The greatest helper that we will ever find is the Lord and the help that He offers is beyond the help that any man can offer to us.

Psalm 60:11- vain is the help of man- God offers help that no man can.

In times of trouble let us always look to the Lord for our help.

The psalmist is apparently in the midst of circumstances that require a helper. The closing statement of verse 1 is intended to be read as a question as the psalmist asks “from whence cometh my help” and then in the beginning of verse 2 the question is answered with the statement “My help cometh from the Lord”

We can find comfort this evening in knowing the God is our helper!

Notice some aspects of the help that God offers in this particular Psalm. Notice God’s:

Ability- to help (Vs. 2-3a)

Have you ever searched in vain for someone who could offer help in a difficult situation? We need not look any further than to God for our help comes from Him!

We need not wonder if God is able to help us. His ability to help is limitless!

The psalmist remarks that it is God who has made heaven and earth. This is a reminder that if God has the ability to create the heavens and the earth, He is more than able to help you and me no matter the need.

God’s power to help us is inexhaustible! Just think about the wonderful reality that the one who is our helper is the one who created everything that we see.

There is no situation or circumstance that you and I may face which is too difficult for God to intervene and help us.

Genesis 18:14- “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” the reply Jeremiah 32:17- nothing too hard!

When there is no one else who can help us, we can be sure that God is able to help!

In the beginning of verse 3 the psalmist reminds us that God “will not suffer thy foot to be moved”. It is God’s help that will provide stability in our lives.

There are many things in life that might cause us to quake, to stumble, to stagger, or to fall, but when God is our helper, we can be assured of stable footing!

God can give us strength in the midst of trouble, courage in the midst of danger, victory over the most terrible temptations if we will only look to Him there is no limit to the help He can provide!

Attention (Vs. 3b-4)

Have you ever needed help but it seemed that there was no one who was available to help when you needed it?

The wonderful truth the Psalmist is here reminding us of is that we always have God’s full attention no matter the day or the hour.

The God who is our helper never takes a moment off, he never slumbers or sleeps.

There will never be a moment in time when you cry out to God for help and He does not hear you.

Even though there are millions of believers crying out to God each day, He hears each one and each has His full attention!

You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or even in the midst of the darkness of night. You may hesitate to reach out for help but you need not hesitate to cry out to God because we have the assurance that He is constantly attentive to the cries of His children.

I Kings 18:27-29- Elijah mocks the worshippers of Baal I Kings 18:36-39- Elijah’s prayer and God’s answer

We do not have to cry out or make sacrifices or cut ourselves to get God’s attention. We always have His undivided attention! He will hear even the gentle whispered prayer of His children and will speedily come to help.

Elijah knew he could not do anything on his own to bring fire from heaven to consume the offering, but he also knew that he could go to God for help and that God would hear and answer his plea!

Protection (Vs. 5-8)

The psalmist here paints a wonderful picture of the protection that God provides to His children.

When he state that the Lord is our shade, he is speaking of the fact that God stands between us and that which would do us harm.

God stands ready to defend us from that which would hurt and destroy us.

Hiking in white sands national monument in the sun without any shade- you will ultimately become dehydrated and without refreshment you will die, but with shade comes protection and prevention of the dehydration and the weakness that comes with it.

God’s protection is not limited to a specific time. The psalmist reminds us that His protection is over us at all times, both day and night He faithfully watches over us.

God’s protection is not limited in its scope. The psalmist writes that the Lord shall preserve us from “all evil”. It is His desire to protect us from all that is harmful and immoral. If we will look to Him for our help, He will protect us from all those things that would hinder or harm our relationship with Him.

God’s protection is not limited to a particular place. The psalmist writes that the Lord shall preserve us going out and coming in. This is a reminder that no matter where we are, we are not beyond the reach of God’s protection.

Ultimately the psalm concludes with a wonderful reminder that God is our helper from this day forward and forever!

Conclusion

What a joy to know that the one who is our helper is not limited in His ability to help, He did create the heavens and the earth after all!

What a joy to know that there will never be a moment that we cry out for help and God does not hear!

What a joy to know that there is no limit to God’s protection! He protects us from all evil, at all times, and in all places!

The unfortunate reality is that there are yet many who do not have access to the help that God offers because they have no relationship with Him.

This help is available to all who will place their faith in Christ and who will be reconciled to God through Him!