FAITH FOCUS: Where Does My Help Come From?
By Donna L. Lewis
MOUNTAINS
“I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?” Psalms 121:1 HCSB
It’s easy to feel helpless. Especially under the current situation. A few short days ago, we were able to come and go freely, see loved ones in the hospital at will, buy an endless supply of toilet paper, all without fear and uncertainty. Today, we are not in that situation. Today we are experiencing a loss of self-determination unprecedented here in the United States.
We are battling an unseen enemy that is turning the world upside down and creating pandemonium. We don’t know what a day is going to bring. Where do we turn? Where will our help come from?
“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:2 HCSB
God: Eternal God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, at whose name every knee must bow. He is our help. He is our defense. He provides for our every need. There is no good thing He will ever hold back.
All we have to do is ask and believe He is the answer.
SALVATION
“And just as Moses in the desert lifted up the brass replica of a snake on a pole for all the people to see and be healed, so the Son of Man is ready to be lifted up.” John 3:14 TPT
The event Jesus is referring to in the Gospel of John, is found in Numbers 21:7-9. The Israelites were in the wilderness and began to whine about the conditions. They were hungry, they were frightened, and they did not trust Moses and Aaron’s leadership.
God, very displeased with their behavior, sent poisonous snakes to bite the rebellious masses. They were dying in droves. Quickly, they understood the problem; a very stinky attitude.
Repentant, the people went back to Moses asking him to intercede for them. God instructed Moses to create a bronze replica of the penalty for their sin; the snake. Anyone bit by the snake only need look at the replica and they would be healed.
When Jesus compared himself to the replica, he was letting Nicodemus know that He, Jesus is the way of life. The sting of death would have no power over anyone who turned to Him for salvation. They merely need to acknowledge their sin and believe in Him as the source of forgiveness, healing and eternal life.
We are being reminded once more to turn our eyes upon Jesus.
SELAH
“The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence”. Psalm 46:7 TPT
Rest. Wait. Take a moment and consider what is being said. This is the closest we have to an understanding of what the Hebrew word “Selah” means.
I believe God has set the world into one grand “Selah”. Think about it, we have come to a complete, global stop.
If you believe in God, you have to wonder, what is He communicating? What is so important He’s willing to shut down the world to tell us?
SHELTER
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most-High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalms 91:1&2 NLT
I believe God wants us to know He is our safe place. He is our source. How often do we look to everything and everyone but Him?
We look to schools to educate our children. We look to doctors to heal our bodies. We look to stores to fill us with food and basic necessities. We look to celebrities for entertainment and answers. We look to politicians to protect us and provide for us.
Is it possible we have forgotten Who’s we are?
FAITH
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 HCSB
It requires faith to believe God exists. It also requires faith to believe there is a reward in seeking Him. It isn’t enough to just believe there is a God, we must also believe He cares and is worth seeking after. That when we do, we will not be disappointed, but rewarded.
PRESENT & PROVEN
“God is our refuge and strength
[mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1 AMP
It’s completely human to throw our hands in the air and say, “I just don’t know what to do” when things get tuff. We’ve all been there. That place of feeling out-smarted, out gunned and out of answers. James writes about just such times:
“If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. The key is that your request be anchored by your single-minded commitment to God. Those who depend only on their own judgment are like those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind.” James 1:5 & 6 VOICE
What our brother is saying, is that when we go through difficulty, great or small, we can always get what we need from God. All we have to do is ask, with faith, believing He is going to answer our need with His wisdom, strength and power.
I believe this is what God is stopping the world for us to do right now: Seek Him.
BOLD ACCESS
“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NRSV
Christ Jesus came to earth, lived among us, provided His body as a sacrifice for our sins, rose again and then ascended to Father God in heaven so that we could have a bold and confident relationship with Him. Let me say that again; a relationship. A personal, intimate, friendship of trust and reliance.
We can access His infinite wisdom anytime, anywhere. We can draw from His courageous strength when ours is failing. We have access to His friendship and comfort when we are lonely. We have the fullness of His peace when life is uncertain. Whatever we need, He is the answer.
DRAW NEAR
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” James 4:8 HCSB
God earnestly and zealously desires intimacy with us. He is hotly pursuing us. I believe now is a time when God has removed every distraction from His most precious creation and is calling us to Himself.
So, let us use this time. Not hording goods, not gossiping on social media, not digesting the latest conspiracy theory but drawing near to God.
Worship Him with thanksgiving for being our source, our supply, our refuge and trusted confidant. Let us seek His heart and know His mind. Whatever the need, our Faithful God is the answer.
Let’s pray for one another, seek God on how we can lift up and encourage one another, intercede for the sick and declare God’s mighty power to heal and drive back the enemy.
This is a time for valiant exploits in the Kingdom of God. Look up to the mountains and know that God, who created them, is ready, willing and able. As you trust Him, He will exceed your highest expectation and deliver on every promise. He is faithful.
Until next time dear and precious friends.
Author, Donna L Lewis
Donna makes her home in the mountains of Tennessee with her husband, artist, Jade Lewis. She is an author, influencer, music mentor, singer, songwriter and avid motorcyclist.
Author, Toxic to Transformed, 100 Words of Life to Renew the Mind,
A verbal and emotional abuse recovery devotional available now on Amazon
Director, Breathe Life Ministries, a place to experience worship and words of life.
Host of “Monday Morning Live”, a Facebook Live Cast
