DARE TO HOPE IN GOD FOR HELP (2)

“Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to HELP ME, O LORD!” – Psalm 70:1

Having received the Light of Hope and Help, we can DARE TO HOPE IN GOD FOR HELP: “Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to HELP ME, O LORD!” (Psa.70:1). For 29 days, we’ve meditated on: Hope and Help; Waiting in Hope for Help; Unbreakable, Unwavering, and Praiseful Hope; Hope as a Habit and as God’s Gift. Hope isn’t something we can manufacture on our own. God is the Giver of Hope!

We sometimes find ourselves in situations where we are in a hurry for God’s Help, and also for Him to deal swiftly with our adversaries! When He graciously delivers us from the predicament, we would want others to know about His intervention in the situation; He should “be magnified” for what He has done. These depict David’s Song in Psalm 70, which is similar to Psalm 40: 13-17, except for a few word changes. The first verse is a Cry for Help. David cried for the LORD to help, come to his aid, and to make haste. The occasion that prompted the king’s cry was not stated, but the tone of the song indicates that it was a time of crisis, and he was anxious for the Lord to act before it was too late.

Following the Cry for Help is a Cry for Vindication: “Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused who desire my hurt” (vv.2-3). Most leaders can identify with David’s anguish in this verse, for there are always those waiting for an opportunity to bring down a righteous man. David didn’t name his adversaries, but there were many who sought his ruin. He not only desired vindication, but longed that his enemies – those that sought his hurt – might be confounded, exposed, disgraced, frustrated, and humiliated.

David then turned from focusing on his foes, to praying for the saints: “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” (v.4). Though hurting from the enemies’ threats and attacks, he did not allow these to dominate his thoughts. We can contrast the scoffing of the wicked, “Aha, aha” (v.3), with the believer’s cry, “Let God be magnified” (v.4). The prayer concluded as it began, with a Cry for God to quickly respond, and a confession that the LORD alone was his Help and Deliverer: “But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are MY HELP and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay” (v.5).

Beloved, where do we turn in times of trouble? Many turn to their own wiles and ways. Some are overcome with anxiety and depression. Some may take their own lives in a desperate attempt to escape their pain. Like David, let’s turn to the Lord – Dare to Hope in Him for Help!