As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm 40:17.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you…” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Two titans of faith gave us the above words recorded in Scripture – David and Paul. I can’t even imagine enduring what Job endured physically on top of the emotional pain of the loss of loved children. I know when I am weak physically I turn to God and He is my help. Nothing reduces my “strength” faster than even a partial bowel prep. I am reduced to realizing just how weak my flesh is. God reminds me nothing is too small for Him. My need physically for His help reminds me of my need for God in all things. Our strength is temporary at best and so inadequate when deep trials assault us. Who will we turn to? 

In our chapter, Job 15, Job can’t turn to his friends who are remaining to help him because His need is for God. Eliphaz again speaks. Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; your own lips testify against you…Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom…The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men even older than your father…v. 6, 8, 10. He repeats mortals can’t be pure, v. 14, and God places no trust in his holy ones, and declares if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes…v. 15. And now Eliphaz is going to explain the evil of mankind…All his days the wicked man suffers torment…Terrifying sounds fill his ears…Distress and anguish fill him with terror…He will not escape the darkness…Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless…They conceive trouble and give birth to evil…v. 20, 21, 24, 30, 31, 35. Are you helped or uplifted by Eliphaz’s words? I’m ready to crawl into a hole. 

David and Paul were titans of faith because they knew God’s help. They experienced His help personally. I marvel at what those two men endured and what they experienced with God helping them. Can we know God’s help? Without question. David, a mighty warrior and King, knew how poor and needy he truly was and in his great need he turned again and again to God and God was there. Paul had his whole life turned upside down when the risen Jesus confronted him personally as he was on the way to authorize the killing of God’s people, Acts 9. Can you imagine? 

My small life is inconsequential in comparison; my trials cannot begin to touch the trials of Job, David or Paul…or people facing hatred leading to exterminations and wars. But I am not inconsequential to God – Father, Son, Spirit – and neither are you. When I asked God to help me know Him as I read His written word, we began a journey together of trust and great Love. He lead me to Him…and He is here.  It is a journey and I am learning and growing with Him guiding me…and I am delighting in my God who is my Help. Take His hand…He’s here…always!