The best place to look for help when we find ourselves in need
By Dean Collins
I assume you sometimes find yourself in a troubling situation. I know I do. Trouble comes in all shapes and sizes and has differing time horizons. There are moments where sudden difficulty may initially cause you to freeze, not knowing where to turn for help. But as your difficulties persist, it is wise to consider the source of needed help. This was the case for those who found themselves in Babylonian captivity. Decades had passed. Deliverance was promised but not yet completely seen or understood.
We believers are in a similar predicament. We have numerous verses throughout Scripture assuring us that God will deliver us. Psalm 34:7 is a good summary of the many promises of God concerning our rescue and deliverance from sin, oppression, injustice, and evil.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
For those who lived in Babylon, decades began to add up, and even as Isaiah promised that change was coming, they found it hard to believe. When difficulties last a long time, our minds can begin to wonder, not just concerning when help will arise but also where it will come from. Chapter 51 opens with a reminder of our great source of deliverance. All who pursue righteousness, who seek the Lord, are told where we are to look for our help.
“Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.”
In ancient pagan cultures, many sought refuge, strength, and deliverance from man-made idols. Sadly, even the beloved of God had repeatedly made the mistake of trusting unreliable sources of help. Isaiah’s reminder was that God himself was the source of his children’s help. He is the rock from which they were cut. The quarry of God is unlimited and filled with abundance. To reinforce this word, the prophet reminded those in captivity that their heritage came through Abraham.
Unchanging God
The promise of Abraham was still true for the Jews living in Babylon during the exile. God’s promise to bless and multiply was still happening for them, even when they could not see its fulfillment. As was true for our spiritual forefathers, we do well to remember that God has not changed. His comfort, his compassion, and his salvation are offered and available every day.
Unexpected sources
God’s help can come from unexpected sources. Those in captivity were told that Cyrus, the Persian king, would bring relief. What an unusual source of promise for those who had been defeated and held captive first by the Assyrians and then by the Babylonians. And help would arrive not from the line of King David but through a Persian ruler. God can and often does use what we would see as unusual choices to bring help to his children. What God wants us to remember is that even when he does use others it is God himself who is our ultimate source of strength and help in times of need.
So in our times of challenge, we must continue to look to the God of Heaven as our source of help. We may not always understand or like God’s time frame, but we will find help in our time of need as we keep our eyes on the Lord.
Lord, we acknowledge you as our creator. You are the giver and sustainer of life. Forgive us when we seek solutions to our problems apart from you. Help us to trust your timing, knowing that you will never leave us as orphans. You are our rock, our source of life, and we will wait on you even when the days seem cloudy and we cannot see your hand. We trust that you always see us and are working on our behalf. Thank you for your promise to provide and to bring us salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Isaiah 51:1-6, 14-16 ESV
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
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