"HELP TO THE HELPLESS"

4 "For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;"

Isaiah 25:4

Regardless of culture, being self-reliant or independent is an admirable character trait. We don't want to be a burden to anyone, so we try to stand on our own two feet. But pinning our hopes on ourselves doesn't really help us if we are coming from a place of need.

We have been running a miniseries on the popular saying, "God helps those who help themselves," exploring whether there is any biblical support for it. In our last blog, we learned that in and of ourselves, we cannot produce anything eternally good.

Let's delve into another biblical truth we should remind ourselves of:

God helps the helpless.

Isaiah 25 is essentially a song of praise to the Lord from the remnant of Israel that continued to trust in Him despite the widespread idolatry in the land. In verses 4-5, Isaiah uses two images: the pounding of a storm and the scorching heat of the sun in the desert. In context, Judah was a weak, powerless nation compared to the strong, oppressive nations trying to control the Judahites. Isaiah describes God as a Refuge for travelers, i.e., the tribes of Israel. He protects them from their powerful enemies and blesses them with safety and comfort.

Throughout the Bible, we can see God taking care of His people in times of difficulty and judgment. He saved Noah and his family from the great flood; He delivered Israel from their slavery in Egypt. In the NT, He protected the church from Satan's opposition. In the same way, God is able to keep His people safe from the coming wrath in the last days. 

From a practical standpoint, we know that the Lord's heart is close to the poor, the widow, the oppressed, and the helpless. There are people in the world who are utterly helpless — the orphans, the homeless, the sick, and the destitute. They are the ones who have no one else to lean on but God. Not that they do not help themselves, but some people are in situations we cannot even imagine. This verse gives a promise that no matter how low you have fallen, no matter how weak, no matter how helpless you are, if you look unto God, you will find hope and you will receive help. 

In other words, God helps those who can't help themselves. He gives power to the powerless. This truth is a massive encouragement for anyone who feels like an outcast. Even when the world seems to have turned its back on you, it is not yet time to throw in the towel. God is a strong refuge, a shelter that keeps you safe from the dangers of this rather hostile world.

Pursue the Savior today!

Photo by Sue Carroll on Unsplash