Jehovah-Ezer: God, Our Ever-Present Helper

Throughout the journey in the Psalms, it becomes clear that God reveals Himself through many names, each one showing a different aspect of His character and His heart toward us. One of the lesser-known but deeply significant names is Jehovah-Ezer—“The Lord is my helper.” This name is woven throughout the Psalms and the broader story of Scripture, reminding us that God is not distant or uninvolved, but always present, always available, and always ready to come to our aid in every circumstance.

God’s desire is to be our source of strength and assistance, not just in the big, dramatic moments, but in the daily challenges and needs we face. Whether it’s family struggles, financial pressures, or personal battles, He invites us to look to Him rather than relying solely on people or our own resources. People may fail us, and even those with the best intentions or greatest means are limited, but God’s help is inexhaustible and unfailing.

The Psalms declare that God is our refuge, our shield, and our very present help in trouble. He is not just a distant observer; He is intimately aware of our needs and actively involved in our lives. Even when we feel alone or overwhelmed, He is right there, ready to swoop in and protect, provide, and strengthen us. This is not just a theological truth but a practical reality—God’s help is available in real time, in real situations.

Through Jesus, we see the ultimate expression of God’s help. Jesus, our High Priest, understands our weaknesses and temptations because He lived as one of us. He not only made a way for our forgiveness but continues to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. And with the coming of the Holy Spirit, God’s help is now always present, not limited by time or space. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us every moment, guiding, empowering, and comforting us.

No matter what we face, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that His grace and mercy are available. We don’t have to run from Him in our failures; instead, we can run to Him, receive forgiveness, and walk forward in freedom. God’s help is not just a promise for the future—it’s a reality for today.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Many Names Reveal His Heart to Help The variety of names God uses in Scripture, including Jehovah-Ezer, shows that no single name can capture the fullness of who He is or all He wants to be for us. Each name is an invitation to know Him more deeply and to trust Him in new ways, especially as our ever-present Helper. [02:11]
• 2. God’s Help Is Superior to Human Help While people may have good intentions or even resources to help, their ability is limited and their presence is not guaranteed. God, on the other hand, is always available, never runs out of resources, and never fails to show up when we call on Him. Trusting in Him as our Helper brings a security and peace that human support cannot match. [07:26]
• 3. God’s Presence Is Our Refuge and Strength In times of trouble, God is not just a distant hope but a very present help. He offers Himself as our safe place, our source of strength, and our shield against the enemy. His constant presence means we never have to face challenges alone or in our own strength. [11:07]
• 4. Jesus Intercedes for Us and Understands Our Struggles Jesus, having lived as one of us, knows our weaknesses and temptations firsthand. He not only provided forgiveness through His sacrifice but continues to pray for us, ensuring that we are never without divine support and understanding. This ongoing intercession is a profound source of comfort and confidence. [19:55]
• 5. The Holy Spirit Is Our Ever-Present Helper With the coming of the Holy Spirit, God’s help is no longer limited by geography or time. The Spirit is always with us, guiding, empowering, and comforting us in every situation. We live in the age of the Helper, and His presence is the guarantee that we are never alone.
  
  ** [21:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:23] - Recap of Summer in the Psalms
• [01:10] - Introducing Jehovah-Ezer: The Lord Our Helper
• [02:11] - The Significance of God’s Many Names
• [03:45] - God’s Help in Everyday Life
• [05:30] - Trusting God Over People
• [07:26] - God’s Help in Times of Distress
• [09:10] - God as Our Refuge and Strength
• [11:07] - The Meaning of “Very Present Help”
• [12:40] - God’s Protection Illustrated
• [13:30] - God’s Promise to Never Leave Us
• [15:20] - Jesus, Our High Priest and Intercessor
• [19:55] - Approaching God with Confidence
• [21:25] - The Holy Spirit: Our Present Helper
• [23:32] - Looking Ahead: Posture, Prayer, and Praise
• [24:24] - Closing and Next Week’s Preview

Bible Reading

Psalm 33:20 (ESV) — > Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

2. Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

3. Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)
> For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 33:20, what two things does the Lord provide for us, according to the verse?
2. According to Psalm 46:1, how is God described in times of trouble? What does it mean that He is a “very present help”? [11:07]
3. In Hebrews 4:15-16, what does it say about Jesus’ ability to understand our weaknesses? How does this affect the way we approach God?
4. The sermon mentions that God is always available to help us, not just sometimes. What are some examples from the sermon or your own life where you’ve seen this? [02:11]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s help is superior to human help because people are limited, but God never runs out of resources. Why do you think we often turn to people first instead of God? [07:26]
2. The phrase “very present help” is used in Psalm 46:1. What does it mean for God to be “very present” in our lives, especially during hard times? How is this different from just knowing about God? [11:07]
3. Hebrews 4:15-16 says Jesus understands our weaknesses and is interceding for us. How does knowing Jesus prays for us change the way we see our struggles or failures? [19:55]
4. The sermon talks about the Holy Spirit as our ever-present Helper. How does the Holy Spirit’s presence make a difference in your daily life compared to if God’s help was only available at certain times or places? [21:25]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says God wants to help us not just in big emergencies, but in daily challenges like family struggles, financial pressures, or personal battles. What is one area in your life right now where you need God’s help? Have you asked Him for help, or have you been trying to handle it on your own? [02:11]
2. Think about a time when you relied on someone else or your own resources for help, and it didn’t work out. How did that experience affect your trust in God as your Helper? What could you do differently next time? [07:26]
3. The pastor shared about family drama and how God helped his family through tough times. Is there a situation in your family where you need to invite God’s help? What would it look like to trust Him with it? [07:26]
4. Psalm 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength. When you feel overwhelmed or alone, what practical steps can you take to run to God as your refuge instead of running away or hiding? [11:07]
5. The sermon encourages us to approach God with confidence, even after we’ve messed up. Is there something in your life you feel ashamed of or afraid to bring to God? What would it look like to run to Him instead of away from Him? [19:55]
6. The Holy Spirit is described as our ever-present Helper. How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and help in your everyday life? Are there habits or prayers you could start this week to remind yourself that you’re never alone? [21:25]
7. The pastor said, “God’s help is not just a promise for the future—it’s a reality for today.” What is one step you can take this week to depend on God’s help in a specific situation you’re facing right now? [02:11]