"A Very Present Help"

by F.L. Evans, Romford | Category: General | Dec 1966

Martin Luther, when he heard any discouraging news, would say, "Come, let us sing the Forty-sixth Psalm." Many other Christians have also turned with expectant hope to this psalm, as it encourages us to take comfort in God when things look black and threatening. It is a psalm calculated to give us confidence in God. We all have times when we are worried and agitated; the even serenity of our way is disturbed; affliction strikes deep at our Christian vitality and we easily become vexed with ourselves and others. In such circumstances the living word of God strikes a comforting chord in the heart:

"God is our refuge andstrength, a very present help in trouble."

God is a help, but He is more than that. He is a very present help, ready at hand, well-proved or well-tried (so the word is), whom we have found by experience to be always sufficient and at the very place. In times of crisis and distress, He has proved Himself to be a refuge, a strength and a very present help.

Another priceless gem of comfort is found in Isaiah 63.9:

"In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them."

In the misery and pain, distress and calamity which befell His people, God had invariably sympathized with them, taking what injury was done to them as done to Himself. Their cries and tears moved Him as if He were pained in their pain. "Though they were in great affliction, yet it was altered by the grace of God for their good, and it was so allayed and balanced with mercies, they were so wonderfully supported and it ended so well, that it was in effect no affliction."

Yet another precious promise of His presence rings out in Isaiah 43.2,

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Israel was the people of God's purchase. In His love and pity, He had redeemed them from the cruel slavery of Egypt and from many another hard bondage. He did not promise that they would not pass through further waters of affliction and fires of testing, but He did promise expressly that they would not pass through them alone. He Himself would be with them! What an exceedingly precious promise to His people in their affliction, that His presence would be with them, for their support and deliverance! The waters would not overwhelm them, neither would the flame consume. Much more will He take care of those who are redeemed with the precious blood of His own dear Son.

God's "being present" in times of affliction is strikingly brought out in three instances in the Acts of the Apostles, involving Stephen, Peter, and Paul respectively. Let us look at them in turn and consider appreciatively the comforting and encouraging effects produced on each of these men of God.

When Stephen started his address to the Council, his beaming heavenly countenance fascinated and overawed his stern judges. "All that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel" (Acts 6.15). But when they saw the drift of his argument and its logical climax, fascination changed to fury. They could not stand being called "stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears" and resisters of the Holy Spirit. They viciously resented being described as "betrayers and murderers" of the Righteous One, and as those who did not keep "the law as it was ordained by angels". He had touched them on the raw and they were cut to the heart, not with sorrow and remorse but with rage and fury. They ground their teeth at him; "they grinned at him as dogs at those they are enraged at". To them he appeared as a blasphemer, the offscouring of the earth.

But Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, soon turned his eyes and his thoughts from the malicious fire and darkness of enraged men to the majestic light and brightness of heaven. Violent men could not prevent his intercourse with God, neither could they separate him from the love of Christ. As one who expected to hear from heaven, he looked up steadfastly into heaven. His help would come only from there, and he saw the heavens opened, "a rift in the sky". But he saw more-he saw the glory, the splendour of God. The glory of God shines brightest in the face of Jesus Christ, and Stephen saw Jesus, the Son of Man, standing on the right hand of God; not sitting in exalted repose but standing ready to help and receive him, and to give him a prospect of the joy set before him. A view of the happiness awaiting him would enable him to go cheerfully through such a malicious death, as a loyal witness to his glorified Lord and Master. There is nothing so comforting and sustaining in times of sorrow as to see Jesus at the right hand of God, exalted and triumphant.

The incident in Peter's life had a different ending, God being desirous of preserving him from a martyr's death at the time for a long life of valuable spiritual service. In both cases, however, God proved Himself to be a "very present help in trouble". When sadistic Herod saw what pleasure his slaughter of James had given to the Jews, he felt goaded to deal similarly with Peter. To ensure the success of his vile purpose, he delivered Peter to four squads of soldiers to guard him until he should be brought out to die. The very night this was to happen, Peter was asleep 'between two soldiers, secured by two chains, with sentries before the prison door. How remarkable! Peter was sleeping, not terrified with his danger. "There was but a step between him and death, and yet he could lay himself down in peace, and sleep - sleep in the midst of his enemies. Even in prison, between two soldiers, God gives him sleep." Frequently God's time to help has been when things have been brought to the last extremity. Herod had resolved that he should die, but God had decided that a door of escape be opened for him.

Peter might have seemed as one abandoned by men. Gates and guards separated him from his friends. But he was not forgotten of his God, neither could the gates and guards keep the heavenly messenger from him. All at once an angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was ablaze with light. A gentle touch, a clear instruction; his chains fell off, the iron gate yielded, and he was free-in the city street, on his way to Mary's house, "where many were gathered together and were praying" (Acts 12.12). At dead of night, praying for Peter himself! The church had fought with unceasing prayers against their enemy and for their friend. Their praying was stronger than Herod's purpose to kill Peter, and it was not Peter but his persecutor who died, smitten by an angel of God. The great God of heaven had wrought another mighty deliverance.

Paul, too, had many deliverances, but let us look at the incident when God was graciously with him through His angel in the storm-tossed Mediterranean Sea. The tempestuous wind Euraquilo had torn down upon the ship, driving the vessel which proved powerless to resist. Every effort had been made to stabilize

her-undergirding, lowering the sails, throwing freight and furniture overboard. The long continuance of the gale, the beclouding of the sun and stars for many days, the heavy rain and a long period without food had caused all on board to allow all hopes of coming through alive to fade away. And then God steps in!

That very night there stood by Paul's side an angel of God. Although he was "afar off upon the sea", God communicated with him. The ship was tossed by winds and waves; the tempestuous storm raged violently. Paul was a prisoner, probably down in the dark and dirty hold, yet the angel reached him and stood by him. He was called by his own name, "Fear not, Paul." The angel revealed to him God's purpose, and this provided a sound basis for faith and assurance which he sought to pass on to the others with him. "Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me" (Acts 27.25). What a triumphant cry rose above the noise of storm and wind, waves and rain. I BELIEVE GOD!" As his rightful owner, God had a sovereign title to him - "whose I am". As his sovereign Master, He had the right to command and Paul was pleased to obey "whom I serve". On the ground of the angel's message he gave the assurance, "Not a single life will be lost." Paul, the prisoner, became the bearer of comfort and encouragement to the others who had previously been at their wits' end and lost in despair. God had again proved Himself to be "a very present help".

Let us conclude by referring briefly to another incident in Paul's life, when God Himself was present with him but not in what we might call a ''miraculous'' manner. He had reached Rome and was conducting his own defence before the Emperor. His comment is sad: "At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me" (2 Timothy 4.16). The Christians in Rome who had gone forward to meet and encourage Paul when he first arrived in the city were now missing in his time of danger and suffering. Not a single person accompanied him to court for his first trial. No one to stand by his side; no one to speak for him. They all deserted him. Alone, yet not alone! Hear his testimony:

"But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me."

The "Very Present Help" came to his aid-took his part, stood by his side and gave him strength and encouragement. There is no doubt concerning his appreciation - "and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion

F.L. Evans, Romford | Dec 1966
General