Help Me

Today's Verse:

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. ~Psalm 119:173

---

Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm. It has 176 verses that are divided into sections of eight stanzas. Each section is preceded by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It was written this way as a mnemonic to help remember its words. It is the psalm and prayer of a believer going through a time of affliction and trial. It is a testimonial to the power of God’s Word in our life. It is appropriately called “The Word of God Psalm” because every verse is about God’s Word. In this closing section, we see the difficulty that the psalmist was in did not go away. Problems do not go away. However, we see a believer who is humble and still in need of help. This morning, we see in our devotion the Lord Who is our Helper.

We see the power of sin.

The ongoing afflictions, caustic attacks by his critics, and discouragement had taken its toll on this believer. Discouragement blinded him to God’s presence and care. He said, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant.” Discouragement that is allowed to linger and ultimately control our thoughts is sin. It is sin that makes us doubt the Lord. I think of Elijah who, when he was discouraged, went into hiding and prayed that he would die. He went from being on top of the hill to hiding under a juniper tree. He lost his bearings. He could not find his way back. Be careful that your anxiety, afflictions, or discouragement does not lead you astray.

We see the permeation of Scripture.

In spite of his wandering, the Word of God kept refreshing itself in his mind and heart. He remembered the promises of God. He could not get away from the commandments of God. He was enlightened by the Word and received encouragement. Dr. John R. Rice wisely told Dr. Russell Anderson many years ago that whatever you read and study in Scripture is stored away for the future. The psalmist could testify of that. We must let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. You never know what verses and passages God will bring to your thoughts in your hour of need.

We see the prayer for support.

“Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts... Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.” The two simplest, yet most powerful words we can pray to God are, “Help me!” In Hebrews 13:5-6 we are told, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” The Lord is my Helper! What an assurance and what a powerful assistance! Call on the Lord as your Helper in your time of need.

We see the presence of the Savior.

We must not forget the invisible in this believer’s time of affliction. The Savior’s presence was near to him. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” The shadow of the Almighty is our fortress and refuge during our tough times. Stop everything you are doing, and be still and know that He is there.

Be encouraged this morning that we always have God’s helping hands in our life. Let God be your Helper.

Have a strengthened God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Ecclesiastes 5-8

#Psalms #HelpofGod