Help From the Lord
by Malcolm Wood
Having asked the question ‘Where does my help come from?’ in the first verse of Psalm 121 the psalmist then proceeds to provide his own answer by acknowledging the fact that the Lord is the source of his help. The psalmist then continues in the subsequent verses to explain how the Maker of heaven and earth is not only his source of help but a source of strength, shelter, security, supply and safety.
That source of help is still available today. The question for us is how do we appropriate it? It isn’t a case of just saying the right words, or praying the right prayers, reading the right books, or attending the right conferences, although all these can have their place in our walk with the Lord.
In fact initially we don’t have to DO anything. It’s a matter of heart attitude.
In a section of Isaiah headed ‘All show, no substance’ (The Message) God remonstrates with His people for their rebellion to Him and His word. He warns them of the consequences of their behaviour but as is so often the case with our merciful God, provides them with an opportunity to change, when He declares ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength’ (Isaiah 30:15).
Yes, the Lord is our help but to fully receive that help we first have to turn to Him, acknowledge our need of Him, confess our shortcomings, and rest, (not wrestle to prove ourselves or gain acceptance in Him). From this place of quiet assurance in our relationship with Him we shall experience a deeper trust in Him and receive the strength that we need to serve Him and walk the walk with Him.
In the hustle and bustle and noise of the 21st century perhaps we don’t experience those times of rest and quietness as often as we should.
‘There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God’.(Cleland B McAfee)
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for not spending as much time with You as I should. Help me to make more time to fully appreciate the peace of Your presence and from that place go out in Your strength to accomplish all that You ask of me. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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