When sorrows come and hope seems gone
You’re the Rock I rest upon
When waters rise and I can’t breathe
You’re the love that rescues me
Out of the darkness I lift up my eyes
Unto the hills I feel my faith rise
Maker of heaven, Giver of life
You are my strength, my song in the night
My refuge, my shelter now and forevermore
My help comes from the Lord
When I’m broken scarred by sin
Death gives way to life again
When I suffer when I doubt
In You I’m free, in You I’m found
The Museum
written by Barry Weeks, Bryan Brown, John Abel, Tony Wood
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{David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said…}
“The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer;
my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge,
my Shield and the Horn of my salvation.
He is my Stronghold, my Refuge and my Savior
—from violent people you save me.
I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and have been saved from my enemies.
2 Samuel 22:1-4
OK, please raise your hands, everyone who has cried out to God like this…. OK, now hands up—this time raised in praise—everyone who has cried out to God like this KNOWING that He IS your Help…He IS your Deliverer…and that He will not tarry. Oh, how we love to praise Him for His goodness, His grace, His help; yes?
But, just like David, there are days when we are feeling so very poor and needy… days when it takes effort, sometimes great effort, to continue to praise. Days when our praises are not as abundant as our crying out to God for His help.
I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.
I cried out to You, O Lord;
I said, “You are my Refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.
Give attention to my cry, for I am brought very low…
Psalms 142:1, 5-6
And our God—our gracious, compassionate, loving God—He is patient and forbearing with us. And draws us to Himself…truly our help does come from the Lord!
Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You;
let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified!
[As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me.
You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!
Psalms 40:16 and 17
What a comfort to know the truth that the Lord DOES take thought and DOES have plans for us. And yet, we doubt sometimes. God knows this; He knows we struggle. He encourages and revives us with His promises.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord,
thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil,
to give you hope in your final outcome.
Then you will call upon Me,
and you will come and pray to Me,
and I will hear and heed you.
Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity]
and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you, says the Lord…
Jeremiah 29:11-14
These are such sustaining promises made to you and me by our Faithful, Trustworthy God. Have you ever considered memorizing God’s promises? What an incredible weapon to have at your disposal—the Word(s) of God that He is faithful to bring to pass! Any (or all!) of these passages that we have considered today would be wonderful to have at the ready in your memory…for those times when you are feeling poor and needy.
I love the words of this passionate song…they remind me of this Scripture:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1 and 2
And so, friend, I ask you,
Do you seek Him and require Him?
If so…then rejoice and be glad in Him!
Do you love His salvation and are waiting expectantly for Jesus’ return?
…Then say, ‘The Lord be magnified!’
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Oh, Lord, we totally and completely recognize our great need for You! And we know, we absolutely know, that You are our Help and our Deliverer! Thank You, Lord, for the comfort of these promises! Our help, truly, comes from the Lord! Amen.
