Divine Help: Trusting in God's Ever-Present Assistance

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding God's Attributes and Names

God's attributes—His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence—are foundational to understanding His ability to help us. These attributes reveal that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present, making Him uniquely capable of meeting our needs. The various names of God, such as Jehovah Shama (The Lord is Near) and Jehovah Rafa (Our Healer), further illustrate His character and readiness to assist us in every situation. Recognizing these attributes and names helps us to trust in His divine assistance more fully. [39:03]

Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength."

Reflection: How does understanding God's omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence change the way you approach Him in prayer today?

Day 2: Embracing Divine Jealousy

God's jealousy is not like human jealousy; it is a reflection of His deep love and commitment to us. He desires our undivided attention and devotion because He alone is capable of providing for all our needs. This divine jealousy underscores the importance of placing our trust solely in Him, as no other god or entity can offer the same level of care and provision. Embracing this aspect of God's character helps us to remain faithful and devoted to Him. [41:38]

Exodus 34:14 (ESV): "For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to place your trust in something other than God? How can you redirect your focus to Him today?

Day 3: Finding Assurance in Scripture

Psalm 121 and Psalm 46 provide powerful assurances of God's help. These scriptures remind us that God is not only our Creator but also our constant protector and provider. His help is immediate and effective, offering us refuge and strength in times of trouble. By meditating on these passages, we can find comfort and confidence in God's ever-present assistance. [43:19]

Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV): "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the truths of Psalm 121 and Psalm 46 into your daily routine to remind yourself of God's constant help?

Day 4: Recognizing God's Help in Everyday Life

Personal testimonies, like the trip to Atlanta, help us see God's hand in everyday situations. These stories reinforce the truth that God's help is always available and often comes in unexpected ways. By staying attentive to His presence, we can recognize and appreciate the many ways He assists us daily. This awareness deepens our relationship with Him and strengthens our faith. [45:48]

Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV): "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Reflection: Can you recall a recent situation where you experienced God's help in an unexpected way? How did it impact your faith?

Day 5: Calling on the Lord in Prayer

We are encouraged to actively seek God's help through prayer, recognizing that He hears us and responds to our needs. This practice of calling on the Lord strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with Him. By experiencing His timely and sufficient help, we grow more confident in His ability to guide us through life's challenges. [49:06]

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV): "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Reflection: What specific need or challenge can you bring to God in prayer today, trusting in His promise to hear and respond?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound truth that all of our help comes from the Lord. We began by acknowledging the joy and energy in our worship, especially when Deacon Rory and Brother Cedric Townsend lead us in praise. We then turned our attention to Mia, reminding her and ourselves that our help comes from the Lord. This theme of divine assistance was woven throughout our time together, emphasizing that God is our ever-present help in times of need.

We delved into the attributes of God, recognizing His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. We explored the various names of God that reflect His character and His roles in our lives, such as Jehovah Shama (The Lord is Near), Jehovah Rafa (Our Healer), and Jehovah Tiskanu (Our Righteousness). We also discussed the name Jehovah Kana, highlighting God's jealousy for our devotion because no other god can provide for us as He does.

Our scriptural foundation was Psalm 121, which reassures us that our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. We also referenced Psalm 46, which describes God as our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. These scriptures remind us that God's help is not just a future promise but a present reality.

We shared personal anecdotes and reflections, such as a trip to Atlanta where signs reminded us that help is always available. This led us to consider the depth of God's help, which is not limited to physical or material needs but extends to every aspect of our lives, including our spiritual well-being.

In conclusion, we were encouraged to call on the name of the Lord in our times of need, knowing that He hears us and comes to our rescue. We were reminded that God's help is always timely and sufficient, meeting us in our present and guiding us into our future.

###

Key Takeaways

1. God's Attributes and Names: Understanding the attributes of God—His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence—helps us grasp the depth of His ability to assist us. His various names, such as Jehovah Shama and Jehovah Rafa, reveal different aspects of His character and His readiness to meet our needs. [39:03]
2. Divine Jealousy: God's jealousy is a reflection of His deep love and commitment to us. He desires our undivided attention and devotion because He alone is capable of providing for all our needs. This divine jealousy underscores the importance of placing our trust solely in Him. [41:38]
3. Scriptural Assurance: Psalm 121 and Psalm 46 provide powerful assurances of God's help. These scriptures remind us that God is not only our Creator but also our constant protector and provider. His help is immediate and effective, offering us refuge and strength in times of trouble. [43:19]
4. Personal Testimonies: Sharing personal experiences, like the trip to Atlanta, helps us see God's hand in everyday situations. These testimonies reinforce the truth that God's help is always available and often comes in unexpected ways, reminding us to stay attentive to His presence in our lives. [45:48]
5. Call to Prayer: We are encouraged to actively seek God's help through prayer, recognizing that He hears us and responds to our needs. This practice of calling on the Lord strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with Him, as we experience His timely and sufficient help in our lives. [49:06]
### [49:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:09] - Introduction and Acknowledgments
[38:12] - Announcements and Community Engagement
[39:03] - Exploring God's Attributes
[40:43] - Names of God
[41:38] - Divine Jealousy
[42:27] - Worship and Song Reflection
[43:19] - Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 121
[44:40] - Personal Testimony: Trip to Atlanta
[45:48] - Theological Reflection on Help
[46:55] - Theological Accuracy in Worship Songs
[48:15] - God's Timely Help
[49:06] - Call to Prayer and Assurance
[51:07] - Understanding Divine Help
[51:51] - Personal Reflections on Help
[52:49] - Breathing as a Gift from God
[53:40] - Biblical Examples of Divine Help
[54:25] - God's Presence in Absence
[55:08] - Human Relationships and Divine Help
[56:03] - God's Presence in Our Past
[56:44] - Walking in New Mercies
[57:41] - Ever-Present Help
[58:13] - God's Presence in Our Future
[59:07] - Calling on God's Name
[59:49] - God's Unique Help for Each Need
[60:36] - Reflection on the Week's Theme
[61:04] - Understanding Psalm 121
[61:32] - Beyond the Hills: Divine Help
[62:11] - Theological Principle of God's Presence
[62:44] - God's Continuous Presence
[63:12] - Recognizing God's Help in Our Lives
[63:42] - Testimonies of God's Faithfulness
[64:12] - God's Guidance and Care
[72:08] - Personalized Help from God
[73:10] - Calling on Jehovah for Help
[74:06] - Community Prayer
[77:16] - Individual Prayers and Reflection
[79:49] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[81:45] - Recognizing Different Needs for Help
[82:20] - Confession and Renewal
[82:53] - Cleansing and Forgiveness
[83:40] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[84:10] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
[86:05] - Invitation to Christian Discipleship
[88:12] - Offering and Tithing
[93:37] - Vacation Bible School Announcements
[94:53] - Dave and Buster's Event
[95:42] - Right Hand of Fellowship
[97:13] - Welcoming New Members
[97:58] - Birthdays and Anniversaries
[101:01] - Pronouncement of Blessings
[101:51] - Closing Song and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the attributes of God mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to His ability to help us? ([39:03])
What are some of the names of God discussed in the sermon, and what do they reveal about His character? ([40:43])
How does Psalm 121 assure us of God's help, and what does it mean to lift our eyes to the hills? ([43:19])
What personal testimony did Pastor Freeman share about seeing signs of help on a trip to Atlanta, and how did it relate to the theme of divine assistance? ([45:48])

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding God's omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence deepen our trust in His help? ([39:54])
Why is it significant that God is described as a "very present help" in Psalm 46:1, and how does this impact our view of His assistance in times of trouble? ([46:55])
What does it mean for God to be jealous for our devotion, and how should this influence our relationship with Him? ([41:38])
How can personal testimonies, like the one shared about the trip to Atlanta, strengthen our faith in God's ever-present help? ([45:48])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced God's help in a significant way. How did this experience shape your faith and trust in Him? ([49:06])
In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded that "all of your help comes from the Lord"? How can you actively seek His assistance in these areas? ([43:19])
How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's attributes and names to strengthen your relationship with Him? ([40:43])
What steps can you take to ensure that your devotion to God remains undivided, recognizing His jealousy for your attention? ([41:38])
How can you incorporate the practice of calling on the name of the Lord in your daily life, especially in times of need? ([49:06])
Think of a specific situation where you felt alone or abandoned. How can the assurance from Hebrews 13:5-6 that God will never leave you nor forsake you bring comfort and strength in similar future situations? ([49:06])
Identify one person in your life who might be struggling to see God's help. How can you share your personal testimony or the truths from this sermon to encourage them? ([45:48])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The Lord is your help. Now, one Psalm 121, you know, that, that, that blesses us, but I had to undergird it also with Psalm 46, because you need to know that God is our refuge. And he comes with strength in time of your trouble. Terrence, I've read it wrong. Let me read it back. In the very present. In the very present. In the very present. Help. Why did I have to put in present? Because present means a particular place or a period of time, which is now. In other words, whenever you need help, God ain't coming later. He's coming now." [48:15] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If God is here. And he's meeting me in my now. If I continue to progress. He's going to be there in my next. That's why I can say he's all of my. I don't know about y'all. But police come to aid. Firemen come to aid. Counselors come to aid. Can I get a witness here? But all when they leave. Because none of them are hanging around 24 hours. Can I get a witness here? And some of them you got to pay. But here's the thing I love about God. All you got to do is call on his name." [59:07] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When you call on the Lord to help you. All of us have different specialized needs for help. How he helps me may not be your prescription for help. But our God is so awesome. That he can help all of us in different ways at the same time. Do y'all hear me? would you want to serve a God? Like this. I don't understand. If he can heal someone with cancer. And he can deliver with kidneys. Surely he can heal your mind. Surely he can put a little coin in your bank account. Surely he can put favor on your life." [01:13:10] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Whatever help you need, Tabernacle, I pronounce it on this house. I don't care what the need is. I pronounce it on this house. Not only will he give you the help, that you will recognize the help, and you will tell God, thank you for the help. As a matter of fact, so that you don't shortchange yourself, let's thank him right now in advance for what he's getting ready to do. The blessings of the Lord be upon you. May his face shine all over you. May his countenance be happy all over you. Amen. Amen. Whatever you need, God will deliver." [01:41:01] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "In my Saturday class, I'm teaching theology for today. And currently, we just left. Well, we're on chapter two that deals with theology proper. In other words. It's a study about God and all of his attributes. We have learned. I'm preaching. I'm preaching. We have learned that his attributes are holy and mighty. He's all creative. He has all redemptive power. As a matter of fact, we learn words that you already know. He. He's omniscient. He's omnipotent. He's all knowing. He's all of that." [39:03] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jehovah Shama. Yes, The Lord is near, right? Then there's Jehovah Rafa. Yeah, he's our healer. Jehovah Rahi. He's our shepherd. Jehovah Tiskanu. He's our righteousness. And I want you to know that we went through all of these names, Deacon Curry. But I found another one that a matter of fact, even Terrence, Terrence over there, he, he, he, he, he got a word. It was called Jehovah Kana, which means he's a jealous guy. You know how y'all are. If you're your woman or your man is looking at somebody else, you get jealous. Well, God don't want y'all looking at other guys." [40:43] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "He hears. He's my help in times past. We've already dealt with that. I got ahead of myself that he's an ever present help. He's our refuge and our strength. Can I get a witness here? And no matter what's going on right now, I don't have to worry. I don't have to fear. I don't have to fret. I serve a God. Watch the rhyme. He's never failed me yet. Can I get a witness? I'm a poet and didn't know it. Look what it says. Look what it says. He is the one who is near at hand. Always near. But near. When he's most needed." [57:41] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So number one, he hears. I got five of these, all right? Here we go. And he hears. But then number two, he is my help in times. Times past. He is my help in times past. Psalm 27, 9, 10. Hide not my face far from me. Put not my servant away from anger. Thou has been my help. Leave me not, neither forsake me. O God of my salvation, do not abandon me, nor forsake me. Now when he or she leaves, you're not alone. Look at somebody. I say, you're not alone." [53:40] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "As I look back over my life, I think things over, I can truly say that he's brought me along the way. Therefore, we could give God the glory. How does he bring you if he's not with you? He had to be there way back there. Guess what? He met you there. When you showed up, he was already there. When you showed up in trouble, he was already there. He was waiting on you. This is the thing I love about God. You can't see around your corners, but God can. And he'll be there to catch you and to caress you and to care for you and to love on you." [56:03] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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