08302026 Faithful Helper

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our faithful Helper.

After a providential deliverance in a frightening battle, Samuel called the attention of the people of Israel toward God. In the aftermath of the victory, Samuel established a visible reminder of God’s help. “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).

The meaning of Samuel’s object lesson was implied: A faithful God would walk with them into the challenges of their future. God had helped Israel in this one battle; historically, He had helped them over and over again. If the people could remember the past help of God, they would be inclined to trust Him in the future. Given His past actions, there was no reason to think He would stop.

This truth is recognized many times throughout Scripture. David learned this lesson early in his life. When he came before Saul with the offer to fight Goliath, David verbalized this truth. “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).

We could step anywhere into the life of Joseph, and we would find the same truth. When he was sold by his brothers, God preserved his life. When he entered slavery, he rose to a position of trust. When he was wrongly imprisoned, God continued to bless and advance him. When he was forgotten by men, he was not forgotten by God. “The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper” (Genesis 39:23). At numerous points, Joseph could have given in to despair, but I believe he was conscious of this ongoing divine help.

Daniel provides another example. How many dangers did the man live through? He was taken into captivity, forced into education and training for the foreign power, and then threatened with imminent death over the failures of other people. This was Daniel’s life for decades, and when he was old, he was again threatened with death for his faith in God. In this case, even the heathen king could see God’s record of deliverance. “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16).

One final example is Paul. The man’s entire life and ministry as a Christian was filled with threats, beatings, imprisonments, riots, deprivation, shipwrecks, and more. What did Paul see about God’s actions toward him? Paul could remember being let down over a wall in a basket. He could remember an earthquake that delivered him from prison. He could remember standing up and walking away when he was stoned and left for dead. He could remember a nephew with a timely warning, sympathetic rulers, and armies that rushed to his rescue. So when he was in the teeth of an impossible storm at sea, in a broken and helpless ship, accompanied by despairing men, Paul expected God’s help once again. “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:25).

John Newton learned this truth and penned it in his hymn “Amazing Grace.” He wrote, “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

Indeed, we have every reason to believe that God will continue doing His work in us and helping us along the way. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

May you rest with confidence in His power and care.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA