September 27, 2004

THE HELPER

"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' " (Hebrews 13:6, NIV).

What a comforting portrait this is of our ever-available helper. This portrait was painted by the author of the book of Hebrews at a time of crisis. In his encouraging exhortation, the author quotes Psalm 118:6, 7. "I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord... is my helper" (NIV).

The Saviour's pledge never to leave us is fully guaranteed. At the close of Joshua's spectacular career as a leader of God's people, he confidently testified, "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed" (Joshua 23:14, NIV). What a powerful testimony to God's reliability!

Our helper is always available precisely when we need Him most. He is there to comfort and cheer. There is no variableness with our great helper. He can always be depended upon. He is only a prayer away. His promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV), is brimful of hope and comfort. We all need someone who never breaks his promises. Our helper, Jesus, is that person.

What He offers is always richer, sweeter, and better than what anyone else can offer. Moreover, all His promises are guaranteed. He has said: "I will never leave you" (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV); "Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20, NIV); and "Whoever comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37, NIV). What a marvelous helper we have in Jesus! From Ellen White's diary entry for August 2, 1902 comes this statement of confidence: "This morning my prayer to the Lord is for His rich grace. I never choose to begin a day without receiving special evidence that the Lord Jesus is my Helper, and that I have the rich grace that it is my privilege to receive."--That I May Know Him, p. 261.

My Prayer Today: Lord, thank You for being my ever-present helper. Amen.