All Our Help Comes from the Lord

As we see this pandemic spread, there is desperation in so many. Loved ones, jobs, businesses, and homes are lost, and our sense of security and well-being has been thrown into a state of upheaval.  I want to encourage you, without oversimplifying our situation. I want to suggest we stop throwing up disparate prayers, hoping we hit the right spiritual switch to turn God towards us. We are told in 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The best comfort comes from God’s word. In Phil 4:6 the bible tells us: Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests know to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace] which stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

In 1 John 5:14 we are told: This is the confidence which we have ^[a]before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (Biblegateway.com) (NIV)

Well, you might ask, what is His will? 3 John 2-4 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. ³ For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than ^[a]this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. (Biblegateway.com) (NIV) Jesus told us in John 10:10 that He came to give us life and that more abundantly.

Then we can have confidence because James 5:16: ‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ We have been made righteous by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and therefore we can approach the throne of grace, to find grace and help in our time of need. Heb 4:16

Jesus told us in Mark 11: ²² And Jesus *answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. ²³ Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. ²⁴ Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. ²⁵ Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. ²⁶ [^[f]But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”] (Biblegateway.com) (NIV)

There have been many arguments about the ‘forgive or God will not forgive you’ in Mark 11:25 as it relates to the New Covenant, since all our sins are forgiven; past, present and future. However, if we have unforgiveness towards anyone, we are not walking in love.  Gal 5:6 says faith works by love, so no love, no faith.

Finally, remember, we are God’s children, and He did not abandon us to our own resources. Jesus gave some specific promises before He went to the cross. John 15:⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. And John 16:²⁶ At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

²⁷ For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 16:³¹ Jesus answered them, do ye now believe?

Scripture excerpts taken from: www.biblegateway.com