THE BEST HELPER

The story is told of a Christian being asked how a person could keep "straight" in a perverse world.
The Christian asked: "Can a pencil stand upright?"
The questioner replied: "No.”

The Christian then grasped a pencil in his hand and held it in an upright position.

"Ah!" said the questioner, "but you are holding it now." 

"Yes," replied the Christian, "and your life is like this pencil - helpless - but Christ is that hand that can hold you."

We must have God's help for survival. As the Psalmist said, we would soon be "swallowed ...up" by our enemy if we had to rely on our own strength.

THE BEST HELPER (R. Brewin.)

• God is everywhere present. Sometimes those who would help us are afar off. Not so God; He is "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
• He is a very willing Helper. He invites us to call upon Him in the day of trouble (Psalm 50:15).
• He is a loving and tender Helper. His kindness is often called "lovingkindness" (Deuteronomy 33:27).
• He never fails to help his people.
• He is an everlasting Helper (Psalm 90:12).

Had not the Lord, my soul may cry,

Had not the Lord been on my bide;

Had he not brought deliverance nigh,

Then must my helpless soul have died. 

Had not the Lord been on my side,

My soul had been by Satan slain;

And Tophet, opening large and wide,

Would not have gaped for me in vain. 

Lo, floods of wrath, and floods of hell,

In fierce impetuous torrents roll;

Had not the Lord defended well,

The waters had o'erwhelm'd my soul. 

As when the fowler's snare is broke,

The bird escapes on cheerful wings;

My soul, set free from Satan's yoke,

With joy bursts forth, and mounts, and sings. 

She sings the Lord her Saviour's praise;

Sings forth his praise with joy and mirth;

To him her song in heaven she'll raise,

To him that made both heaven and earth.

Linked to: Silvia (A Gathering of Friends)