For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says, “Do not fear. I will help you. Do not be afraid. A gale will blow your enemies away. But you will rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One.” (Isaiah 41:13-16)
The Scripture above echoes Psalm 62, which we began studying in our previous post. See Our Declaration of Dependence (Part 1)
Bell with a Story
The Liberty Bell is a symbol of American independence and is located in Philadelphia, PA. It was rung with other bells on July 8, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was first read to the public. The Liberty Bell contains a message from Leviticus 25:10: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” That verse speaks of the Old Testament Jubilee celebration (every 50 years) when all debts were canceled, enslaved people were freed, and the people returned to their family property and their own clan.
Most of the founding fathers and mothers in America came from Christian backgrounds and identified as Christian. They used this Scripture, acknowledging that their newfound freedom came from God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). The Lord was their Liberator, and He still is ours today!
We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone. (Psalm 33:20-22 NLT)
The New Testament teaches that Jesus’ believers (Jews and Gentiles) are not home yet here on Earth. We do not yet have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Like the Old Testament believers, we are looking forward to a better country, a heavenly one. We are seeking the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.1
Christ is Trustworthy
Americans declared themselves to be independent from England in 1776, but Jesus’ followers happily admit that we are 100% dependent on Him forever.
Christ says: I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
We swear lifetime allegiance to Jesus as King, and we anchor on, bank on, count on Him forever. Christ is no tyrant or slave driver. He is gentle (kind) and humble (free of pride) in heart, and Christ gives His followers rest for our souls.2 One hymn says: “My Shepherd is the King of love. His goodness will fail never. I lack nothing if I am His, and He is mine forever.”3
Here’s my outline of Psalm 62: True Help…
- Comes from Jesus Alone (Verses 1-4)
- Is Available from Jesus at All Times (Verses 5-8)
- Is Given by Jesus as King (Verses 9-12)
I dealt with the first two points in the previous post and now consider the last point here.
Help Comes from King Jesus (Verses 9-12)
In verses 9-10, David reminds us that in the short run, wicked people may be successful, but their prosperity won’t last.
Psalm 1 says: The wicked are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous (Christ’s people). For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
God condemns greedy people throughout the Scriptures and promises to protect the poor. Those themes are mentioned here in Psalm 62. In the Old Testament book of Amos, the Lord rebukes some wealthy Israelites who extort and exploit. They were ignoring love for God and their neighbor and the rule of law, and letting their selfishness run amok. Some rich people used bribes, dishonesty, and cheating the disadvantaged to make unfair profits. They purposely kept the “have-nots” down.4 The same thing happened in David’s day, and it’s happening now in our country and worldwide.
God’s people in Bible times and since are often outwardly weak compared to those who reject the Lord. But to wicked people, Jesus says: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what they sow. Whoever lives to please their flesh (sinful nature) will reap destruction. Whoever lives to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”5
Depend on Christ’s Capability and Compassion
David teaches us in verses 11-12: “One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: ‘Power belongs to You, God, and with You, Lord, is unfailing love, and You reward everyone according to what they have done.” Christ our Lord and Savior is infinitely strong in helping His people. And He is also infinitely loving, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.6
Christianity.com lists 34 miracles Jesus performed in the Four Gospels. He healed people from leprosy, blindness, paralysis, bleeding, and demons. Christ also demonstrated both His mercy and His might through those miracles by rescuing and caring for people and restoring their physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health.
Jesus Helps the Helpless
Remember the poor woman in Luke 13 who had been crippled for 18 years? Her back was bent, and she could not stand up straight. The synagogue rule showed her no compassion. But as soon as Jesus saw her, He was moved and called her near. He said, “Woman, you are set free from your illness.” Christ put his hands on her, healed her immediately, and she stood up straight and praised God!7
We don’t know her name, but the Lord calls her “daughter of Abraham.” This is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus uses that exact phrase. This woman belongs fully to God’s people despite her sad condition and the social awkwardness she must have experienced.
I love this true-life example from history! It demonstrates Jesus’ saving rule and victory over sickness, sin, and Satan. He takes the initiative to free this woman from crippling illness, and she is instantly restored at Jesus’ simple command. Then she gives thanks and worships Christ. We should do the same every time the Lord helps us!
He says, “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them and restore comfort to the mourners, creating praise on their lips. I will bring perfect peace to those far and near. And I will heal them. (Isaiah 57:18-19)
Sometimes God mends us here on Earth, sometimes not. Sometimes He heals immediately; sometimes He does it gradually. At Jesus’ Second Coming, He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, because all of that will be gone forever. Total restoration happens only when the Son of God returns. He will bring a complete and permanent eradication of suffering, and all brokenness will be healed.8
Every day, Christ still acts in love and power to help His people; however, Jesus will use that same power to punish all His and all our enemies when He returns. Unbelievers should be warned by Psalm 62 and also encouraged to come to Christ while there is still time. Scripture says, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and be refreshed.”9
How Should We Then Live?
In response to the whole Bible’s message, Pastor Ray Ortlund says, “Here are the choices we all face moment by moment: Do we expect to be in complete control?” Are we self-sufficient and proud? Do we strive to come out on top as winners to impress others? Or will we be happy for Christ’s power and love to rest upon us in our endless weakness? We can’t give the impression that we are clever and that Jesus Christ is mighty to save at the same time.10
So, beloved, let’s trust and depend on the Lord, not on ourselves or other things.
Humble yourselves, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because Christ cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to depend on You more than our own resources, our own efforts, our own understanding. Teach us not to rely foolishly on other people, including our political leaders, but to follow Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of lords. He is the only One safe to obey at all times. Only You are our awesome God who reigns from Heaven above, with wisdom, power, and love. Only You have:
- First loved us and sent Your Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins
- And sent Christ that we might live in and through Him
- And sent Your Son to be the Savior of the world.11
Be kind and merciful to us. When we are weak, troubled, and hurt, show Yourself completely powerful to help us. Teach us to depend on You always, and be joyful, prayerful, and thankful in all circumstances. This is what You want from us who belong to King Jesus. Amen.
Notes (various Bible translations): 1 Heb 11:10.16. 13:14. 2 Matt 11:28-30. 3 “The King of Love My Shepherd is” by H. W. Baker (1868). 4 “Amos and the Poor” by Mitchell Lewis, Oct 11, 2009. 5 Gal 6:7-8. 6 2 Peter 3:9. 7 Luke 13:10-17 8 Rev 21:1-8. 9 See Acts 2:36-41, 3:17-21. 10 Adapted from Ray Ortlund, “The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ.” 11 1 John 4:9-10,14.
Extra historical note: From colonial times to speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., the story of the Exodus has an enduring legacy in America. In 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson proposed a seal of the United States depicting the Israelites escaping Egypt. From John Adams’s description, “Franklin proposes Moses lifting his staff, and dividing the Red Sea. And Pharaoh, in his chariot, overwhelmed with the waters. Jefferson proposed the children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” Franklin suggested that the seal contain this motto: “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.” See more at: museumofthebible.org and “American Covenant: A History of Civil Religion from the Puritans to the Present,” by Philip Gorski (2017).