I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?My father used say, “Everybody needs a little help every now and then.” My dad was not an easy person; he was not a touchy-feely person. He was tough and rouged; a man’s man. But through this saying and through his actions he taught me to help others.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:1-3 (NKJV)
We should always extend a hand of love and friendship to those in need where it is within our power to help them but REAL power and might come from the Lord. 2 Chronicles 13 tells of how King Abijah (grandson of King Solomon) relied on the Lord to help him when he was completely outnumbered by those who would destroy Judah.
After the death of Solomon the kingdom of Israel split into a northern kingdom called Israel and the kingdom of Judah which was ruled by the descendants of David. Jeroboam was king of Israel and went to war against Abijah, king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 13:3 records Jeroboam had eight hundred thousand “choice men, mighty men of valor” while Abijah had an army of four hundred “valiant warriors” and “choice men”.
Outnumbered by two to one, what does Abijah do? He stands on a mountain side and delivers a scalding sermon to those fighting against him. Battle tacticians of today would call Abijah’s tactics lunacy; I call his stance faith and confidence in the Almighty Lord.
Abijah tells Israel (after calling them worthless-idol-worshiping-God-less-rogues) that Judah, has not forsaken the Lord their God (v.10), but have kept “the command of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken Him (v. 11).” Further, Abijah says, “Now look, God Himself is with us as our head...do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper! (v.12).”
(By the way, I should mention that verse 13 tells us that while Abijah was preaching to the army of Israel, they completely surrounded him and his army...not to worry...read on!)
What was the result of this complete reliance upon God? Verses 15 and 16 tell us “that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah and the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand.”
We do all need help, but the greatest malady from which men suffer cannot be abated by other men; it can only be healed through admitting the need for a Savior; repenting of sin; believing that Christ is the Son of God and accepting His gift of forgiveness; and confessing Christ as Lord.
You too can have the confidence of David and Abijah. You too can celebrate the knowledge and power that the One who keeps you does not sleep or slumber. You too can say that your help comes from the Lord; the Creator, who made the heavens and the earth. Accept Christ today…He’s waiting on you with open arms; ready to help.
God bless!
