David writes in Psalm 121:2, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” It is easy to see that God helped David. In fact, there are countless stories in the Bible where help came from the Lord.
But is that still true today? What does it mean for our help to come from the Lord? How can we be sure that God will help us?
What Does the Bible Say about 'My Help Comes from the Lord'?
In the King James Bible alone, there are 177 variations of the word help (helped, helper, helps…) are found. But when you broaden your search using other translations, variations of help are found 225 times. Still more are found conveying the idea of help using other words such as support, save, rescue, etc.
No matter how many times the word help, a variation of it, or a different word to convey the idea is found, it’s important to see that God initiated help first. We can see that:
- God is his people's "help".
- He helps them in proportion as they feel their need of his help.
- His help is never ill vain. "My help cometh." not from the earth merely, or the skies, but "from the Lord, which made heaven and earth"
The Context of Psalm 121:2
Psalm 121 is a part of the Book of Psalms in the Bible, and it is often referred to as the "Song of Ascents." This psalm is a beautiful expression of trust and confidence in God's care and protection. It can be summarized as follows:
Looking to the Hills: The psalmist begins by looking to the hills and asking, "Where does my help come from?" This sets the tone for the entire psalm, as it acknowledges human vulnerability and the need for divine assistance.
God as the Protector: The psalmist declares that their help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. This verse emphasizes God's sovereignty and power over all creation, making Him the ultimate source of protection.
God Never Slumbers: The psalmist reassures that God never slumbers nor sleeps. This means that God is always attentive and watchful, providing constant care and protection for His people.
The Lord Is Your Shade: The psalmist describes God as the shade on one's right hand, protecting from the scorching sun. This metaphor symbolizes God's shielding presence in times of trouble.
Protection from Harm: The psalm continues by affirming that the Lord will keep the psalmist from all harm and watch over their life, both now and forevermore. This verse speaks of God's comprehensive protection over the entire span of a person's life.
Psalm 121 is a poetic and comforting expression of trust in God's unwavering help, care, and protection. It serves as a reminder to turn to the Lord in times of need and to rely on His constant vigilance and love. It is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, reminding them that they are never alone in their journey through life.
What Does 'My Help Comes from the Lord' Mean?
Help coming from the Lord started in the Garden of Eden when God saw a need and supplied it. After God created Adam, he saw that he needed help.
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found (Genesis 2:18-20).
The first kind of help that came from the Lord was removing loneliness by providing relationship. The Bible doesn’t say that Adam was lonely, but God saw his aloneness as a need for help.
Everything God had made he had declared good except Adam being alone. God remedied the situation by creating Eve for Adam.
Help came from the Lord in the provision of a helper, and God promises help for us today.
Scripture Promises of God's Help
The Bible is full of promises from God to help us. Here are just a few.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?” (Isaiah 51:12).
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17).
Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).
The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads (Psalms 145:14).
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
The Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26).
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need(Hebrews 4:15-16).
The promises from God are ours to partake of. Sometimes our help comes from the Lord just out of his goodness like Adam received Eve. Other times we need to ask for help and then trust him.
How to Ask God for Help
Countless Bible characters asked for help but two stand out. Moses, who is known as one who talked with God face-to-face, and David, who is known as a man after God’s own heart.
Moses sought the Lord to help the children of Israel throughout their Exodus and wanderings. As he prophesied blessings over the tribes, he called on the Lord for help.
For example, in Deuteronomy 33:7: “And this he said about Judah: ‘Hear, LORD, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!’”
David can be found asking the Lord for help throughout the Psalms.
For example, in Psalm 70:4-5: “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, ‘The LORD is great!’ But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; LORD, do not delay.”
Jesus himself instructs us to ask and receive help.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it(John 14:14).
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”(Matthew 7:7-8).
Help comes from the Lord in spite of our fears and doubts when we dare to ask with an honest heart.
“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:24).
That ask was from the father of a demon-possessed boy who had suffered disappointment with his asking before. But Jesus helped him, and his son was healed.
Trusting God
How much trust we have in God will be evidenced by how much boldness and confidence we have in his help. Hear the boldness and confidence in these scriptures.
For you, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall (Psalm 18:28-29).
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free. The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side; He is my helper. Therefore I will look in triumph on those who hate me (Psalm 118:5-7).
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul (Psalm 54:4).
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:4).
God desires for us to trust him completely. The more we trust, the more he is empowered to help us.
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way] (Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP).
Trust is a precious commodity. And just as Jesus told us about mustard seed-sized faith, we can start with tiny amounts of trust. Trust is something that grows with relationship.
When you find your trust is small, lean into the Lord like the father of the demon-possessed boy, and let God help you by removing the obstacles in your way.
Help comes from the Lord to all who call on his name in truth.
For further reading:
Why Do We Pray and Does it Really Help?
Trusting God in the ‘How Long’?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/happyphoton
Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. She’s written Emerging With Wings, A Bird Named Payn, Love’s Manifesto, Because You Matter, and hosts the Victorious Souls Podcast. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. For more information or to connect with Danielle https://www.daniellebernock.com/
