Our Help In Times of Trouble
By Lynette Kittle
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” - Psalm 121:2
When trouble comes, what is our first reaction? Do we turn to God first, seeking His help?
Or, do we first look to other people, like family members, friends, or neighbors to take care of us? Do we check to see what government programs there are to aid and assist us before going to God?
Although God can work through all of the above to help us during times of trouble, He wants us to turn first to Him for help, before asking others for assistance. Yet, why do many of us choose to go to Him as a last resort?
Often the enemy of our soul convinces us that God isn’t willing to help us, especially if we’ve been the one to get ourselves into trouble. He convinces us that because we messed up, we don’t deserve God’s help and therefore we have no right to ask Him because we aren’t innocent in the situation.
Even if so, God wants us to turn to him. Psalm 91:15 explains, “He will call on me, and I will answer Him; I will be with Him in trouble, I will deliver Him and honor Him.”
God’s willingness to help us is not determined on whether or not we’re responsible for the trouble we’re experiencing, but rather on His great compassion and mercy towards us Isaiah 30:18 tells us how God longs to be gracious to us, to rise up and show us compassion.
During times of distresses such as sickness, unemployment, and more, like Job there may people who are quick to point fingers at us, as well as say things about God that aren’t true (Job 42:7).
But rather than agreeing and joining in with them, John 10:10 explains, we need to recognize how the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Revelation 12:10 explains how Satan the accuser of the brethren, accuses us day and night before God.
So instead of letting accusations keep us away from God, we can to turn to Him. Psalm 34:17 describes, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”
Instead of being far away as it may seem and feel to us at times, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
God gives us a very clear picture of how He will respond to us when we turn to Him in the day of trouble, as described in the story of the prodigal son who came to the end of his rope. Having nothing left but his failings and sin, he decided to return home to work as a servant.
Luke 15:20, describes his father’s response to his return. “So he got up and went to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
As well, his father gave him new clothes and accessories, and threw him a party (Luke 15:22, 23), exclaiming, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:24).
However, unlike the father’s loving response, the prodigal’s brother was angry by his brother’s return, believing he didn’t deserve to be welcomed back into the family (Luke 15:28). Sadly like the prodigal’s brother, not everyone including family and friends, may be supportive of God’s forgiveness and favor to us in times of trouble.
Yet, despite their feelings and disapproval, we can turn to Him in our deepest disappointments and failures, knowing He will be compassionate and not reject us or turn away from us. As Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, Startmarriageright.com, growthtrac.com, and more. She has an M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as an associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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