Help, Lord!

Reading: Psalm 77
"Help is a close as the telephone". That’s the simple memorable slogan and invitation of LifeLine. There are always trained telephone counsellors waiting for your call twenty-four hours a day.

Often what people need most is a listening ear. That may be sufficient to bring them resolution and help. At other times the TC has to be able to refer the caller to a skilled face-to-face counsellor, a credit advisor or other specialised help.

Some folk seem quite unable to organise themselves and are constantly "at the door" seeking help. Some of these try to "work the system" - looking for ways to benefit from all the various aid agencies. But there are also many who are slow to admit their need, embarrassed to seek help even when their situation is desperate.

In Psalm 77, Asaph records his desperate prayer for help - "I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted" (vv. 1-2).

It would appear that the nation was in distress and their prayer for God’s help had gone unanswered. Asaph found that particularly troubling.

He used to be able to sing in the night about God’s deliverance, but just now he found no cause for praise. There must be something breaking their relationship with the Lord - "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favour again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" (vv. 7-9)

He began to find comfort and hope when he reflected on God’s great deliverance of Israel during the Exodus. "Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High’. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds" (vv. 10-12).

The description of the crossing of the Red Sea is vividly graphic. Clouds, thunder, lightning and earthquakes revealed God’s power (vv. 16-18). "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen" (v. 19).

The implication is that the same Lord who had led his people to deliverance through Moses and Aaron (v. 20) will again rescue his people whom he has redeemed to himself.

"Help!" Do we remember times when we have prayed that kind of prayer and the answer seemed to come so immediately and completely? Have we ever prayed that prayer and nothing has seemed to be happening? Where you, God? Have you forgotten me this time? I need you right now!

Think back further, beyond our own experiences to the Lord’s great deliverance in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Remember John’s record - "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him" (1.11). Meditate on Jesus’ experience on the cross, including his cry of despair, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mt. 27.46) Consider what Paul wrote, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5.8).

Remember, meditate and consider - this was when the Lord redeemed his people with his mighty arm. God hasn’t forgotten us. He still leads us "like a flock". He is still at hand to help - even though his help may not be in the manner or timing of our choosing.

Prayer: Dear God, our prayers get stuck when you don’t seem to answer us immediately in the way we think you should. Help us to remember the loneliness of Jesus on the cross. He was truly all forsaken as he carried the sins of the world - and ours - there. Help us to trust you and know that you are here - whether we see an instant miracle or not. Enable us to support others who also carry this burden so that, together with them, we may know the joy of your salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

No, not alone!

No, not alone
I face life’s pain
and sore distress.
No, not alone
I seek the succour
of God’s grace.

Yet instant miracles
are not at my command,
though, praying,
they may be
my strong demand.

I come, Lord,
needy, helpless,
with an open hand
to gain the grace
your pain has won.

For all alone -
for human straying
not your own,
under the gaze
of weeping friend
and gloating foe,
under the blaze
of glaring sun
and brazen sky -
you called for help,
but heaven was closed.
Had Father God
let down the Son?

No, not alone!
Even when I think
I miss his face,
he’s pouring
his surpassing grace!


© Peter J. Blackburn, Burdekin BlueCare Devotions, 18 November 2003.
Except where otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, © International Bible Society, 1984.

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