Help From God

I love reading of God's people who rely upon Him and overcame impossible odds by the grace of God.  Because Jonathan knew God was awesome and mighty he said to his armour bearer as they approached a garrison of the Philistines, "It may be that the LORD will work for us.  For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few." (from 1 Samuel 14:6)  King Asa of Judah, when faced the army of Zerah from Ethiopia with a thousand thousand men and 300 chariots in battle array against Israel, looked to the LORD in 2 Chronicles 14:11:  "And Asa cried out to the LORD his God, and said, "LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"  Through faith in God these and many others in scripture were given the victory by the God who gives power to the powerless and helps the helpless.

God's ability is not restrained by men, and it is nothing for Him to help.  The "help" God gives is nothing like the "help" man offers.  When we ask for help carrying bags or opening a door, we are asking for someone else to assist us, to lend a fraction of what is required to accomplish something.  When we assist or help someone, should we be acknowledged, complimented or praised for our willingness to pitch in we might say, "It is nothing."  But it was something.  We can downplay our efforts at times with false humility.  Because our intent was to give and not receive we feel awkward to receive a compliment so we deflect and minimise; we lie and magnanimously say "It was nothing" to bring the conversation into alignment our values, that we would rather identify with virtuous giving than the humility required for gracious receiving.

Because nothing at all is difficult, tiring or exhausting for God it is nothing for Him to help us.  His help is not a bit of assistance to carry us over the line but He has already done more that we could ever ask or think.  God had already provided King Asa life, a body, mind and access by prayer to God's presence.  He had given Asa the throne, a kingdom, people to govern, defined borders to defend, laws to obey and promises to believe.  God had demonstrated His powerful deliverance and provided a written account in the scriptures of His goodness and grace.  In asking for help, King Asa asked God to do all:  to defeat the enemy, to preserve his life and the lives of his people, to guard the nation and to glorify God's holy name.  At Asa's request of faith God smote the enemies of Judah and they prevailed over those who rose up against them.  On their own they were powerless and helpless, and God graciously gave them the victory.

We are nothing, and it is nothing for God to help us.  David marveled that God regards man at all in light of His greatness and glory.  Who is like our God, who freely helps those who cannot help Him at all and helps us even when we cannot help ourselves?  God is worthy of all honour and praise, and He is gracious to receive it from the helpless ones who fear Him.