Psalm 79:9 “Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.”
When we go through difficult times we must always remember that our hope is in God and not with anyone or anything else in this world. Sometimes when life throws us off balance we forget this big truth that when we are in trouble we are to pray to God for help (James 5:13).
In Psalms 79 a descendant of Asaph the music director for King David laments for the great loss following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple at the hands of the Babylonians. The Nation was shattered and the temple destroyed and the way of life for God’s people was shaken to its foundations. And yet when we have God we have everything we need to help us in our present trouble. Jeremiah says it best in Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Whenever God is on our side then nothing can defeat us in this world because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). So never hang your head in defeat but lift your face in bold confidence to the face of God who will save you if we persevere in our faith. In our devotional text in the midst of the rubble of destroyed lives, the Psalmist makes a statement of faith as to the power and work of God in the lives of His followers in a thoughtful and well-ordered manner.
(1) First, he asks God to help us for the glory of His name. God asks that we ask Him to help us so we know that He will come to our side to help every time.
(2) Second, he asks God to deliver them through their momentary afflictions. God is faithful to all His promises of which one is to take us by our right hand, and tell us to not fear because he will help us (Isaiah 41:10).
(3) Thirdly, he asks God to forgive our sins. Receiving the forgiveness of God makes us right with Him, and we can stay that way because of the blood of Jesus Christ continually cleanses us of all sins (1 John 1:7).
There was a popular TV quiz show called “Do you want to be a Millionaire?” which had the idea of a lifeline if the contestant was stumped on a question. One could call their friend and get an answer by using the lifeline. God is our lifeline and He is always near to us if we will call on His name. Whether we are in life’s victory lane or on life’s ash heap each one of us can draw on the presence, power, and love of God to get us through our trouble every time.
FATHER EVEN IN THE MOMENTS OF MY GREATEST PAIN AND LOSS I KNOW YOU WILL BE THERE FOR ME WHEN I CALL UPON YOUR NAME. AMEN!
Article by Mike White of Summit church of Christ
I certainly know that this is true. I have been blessed and guided through life more than I could ever count. Even in times of great sorrow, I knew He was there to help me.