HELPER OF THE HELPLESS

“For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and HIM WHO HAS NO HELPER” – Psalm 72:12

JESUS CHRIST, the King’s Son is the HELPER of the HELPLESS: “For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and HIM WHO HAS NO HELPER” (Psa.72:12). He is our righteous Judge (v.2), Saviour of the needy, and Liberator of the oppressed (v.4). He is the Source of showers of blessings, flourishing righteousness, and abundance of peace (vv.6-7). He is the Possessor of Universal Dominion (v.8-11). He is the Deliverer, Redeemer, and Helper of the helpless (vv.12-14). That’s why, He is worthy to perpetually receive Prayer and Praise (v.15). “His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed” (v.17).

There are times when we feel totally helpless about a condition or situation; either that there seems to be no help on the way or that there isn’t anything we can do to help others. Sometimes we see people in so much frustration and pain, whom we wished we could ease or help out of their pain; yet we feel inadequate. Such state of helplessness could relate to illness, addictions, depression, family dispute, financial difficulties, relationship or mental problems. Some people are going through severe suffering; others forsaken by family and friends. Some are wondering if God too has forgotten them. But, people tend to run helter-skelter seeking help elsewhere apart from God; and when no help comes, He becomes the last resort.

Why wait until you see a storm approaching before you run to Him? Why wait until you are in the midst of despair before you call on Him for help? Whatever the case may be, God wants the helpless to cry out to Him: “For He will deliver the needy WHEN HE CRIES…” (v.12). When you cry out to the Lord, He will deliver you from every challenge, difficulty or crisis. Be encouraged: even if you are in the darkest moments of life, God is always there to help you. He’s mindful of you and nothing is hidden from Him. Don’t give up, just because you don’t seem to see a ray of hope. God is working behind the scenes in ways you cannot see. The Psalmist states it succinctly, for those who trust God, “And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psa. 37:40).

John 5: 1-8 describes how the Lord Jesus manifested as Helper of the Helpless when He healed a man nobody had been willing to help. This was at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, the waters of which an angel of the Lord occasionally came to stir up. Then, all the sick and suffering would struggle to get into the stirred pool in order to be healed. There was an invalid, who lay near the pool for thirty-eight years, helpless, with nobody to help take him to the pool. Lying there all alone, he suddenly encountered Divine Help, Grace and Mercy! Jesus appeared, saw his agony, was moved with compassion for him, and instructed him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk”. At once, the man was cured, picked up his mat and walked.

Beloved, the Way-Maker, Miracle-Worker, and Mountain-Mover is still on the mission of helping the helpless! Rather than seek help where there is none, simply cry out to the Lord in faith. Just like Jesus asked the invalid, “do you want to get well?” He asks you the same, today. God will never leave you, for all His promises are everlasting. “The Lord is My Helper” means three things. His help is always available, because He is always with us (Heb.13:8). His help is always adequate, because it is the divine, inexhaustible supply from El-Shaddai (Gen.17:1). His help is always appropriate to our individual needs, personally dispensed to each of us according to our need! “And blessed be His glorious name for ever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen and Amen” (v.19).