Present Help
Present Help
Ladies! You are invited to dig deeper to into God’s Word as we study the book of James together through the Joy of Living 8-week series. Beginning September 17, small groups of women will meet each week to discuss a chapter of the Bible and then learn from Debbie Taylor Williams’ vibrant teaching. Join us! There is a place for you, and you are invited. Childcare is provided on Wednesday mornings by reservation and Thursday evenings by voucher. Click HERE to learn more and register.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
What does it mean to you that God is a present help? Does it change anything? Does it mean that you don’t worry since He’s present with you and is a help? Does it mean that you’re not fearful? It made all the difference for the one who penned the words of Psalm 46:1. He continued, “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling” (vv. 2-3).
How could he not fear? I like commentator Charles Ryrie’s explanation. “A refuge provides a shelter from danger. Strength gives us courage in danger. Very present help can have the idea of ‘well-proved help.’ God’s help is both present and proven, ready and reliable.” 1 What a gift God gives us! He’s present to help us.
Lord, I rejoice! You are my PRESENT HELP. I thank You and praise You!
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1 “Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update (Chicago: Moody Press, 2008).
How To Get Through the Next 86,400 Seconds
I’M ON MY WAY TO THE West Virginia PRAY CONFERENCE on September 7! Prayers, please, for safe travel, God’s anointing, and an outpouring of people attend; for salvation for seekers, and recommitments by Christians to pray more purposefully and live more passionately for Christ. Thank you!
Have you ever wondered how you were going to make it through the next 86,400 seconds? (24 hours) You may have even said to someone, “I need help and I need it now,” but felt like your plea wasn’t heard. If your thoughts are going places they shouldn’t go or your emotions are spiraling, look to God who is described in Psalm 46:1 as not just a future help to us in heaven, but rather as a very PRESENT HELP. Commentator Charles Ryrie explains “Very PRESENT HELP can have the idea of ‘well-proved help.'” In other words, we don’t have to hope God can help us. Rather, we can rest assured that God is present and He is reliable. We can pray, “God, thank You for being present with me. Please help me now.” How does His help come? In different ways. He may strengthen us to get through what seems impossible. He may send a person who offers their help. Let’s keep our eyes and hearts open to the help He provides and thank Him for it.
Lord, thank You for being PRESENT to HELP us. Help us keep our eyes on You and trust each day to You.
Write your thanks to God HERE every day and you’ll develop a more optimistic viewpoint. Why? You’ll see how God is being your present help. I’ve marked Prayers of My Heart journal from $14.99 to $9.99. Get it now!
“God is our refuge and strength, A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
I need HELP and I need it now
“I need help and I need it now.” Have you ever thought those words? I have. Maybe our thoughts are going places where they shouldn’t be going. Maybe our emotions are spiraling out of control. Maybe we feel like we just don’t have what it takes to do or be what we know is needed. We’re crashing. So, what do we do? We look to God who is described as not just a future help to us in heaven, but rather as a very PRESENT HELP. Commentator Charles Ryrie explains what Psalm 46:1 means regarding God being a present help in trouble. He states, “Very PRESENT HELP can have the idea of ‘well-proved help.'” In other words, we’re not hoping God can help us. He is present and reliable. We can pray, “God, help me,” and be assured that He will. What a great Heavenly Father we have. Let’s keep our eyes and hearts open to the help He’s providing us.
Lord, thank You for being PRESENT to HELP us. Help us keep our eyes on You and trust each day to You.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.” Psalm 46:1