Help from God!
Acts 26:22 "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;"
Prophetic word from the Throne Room of God!
Apostle Paul was able to say these words from the prison and he has been in the prison for considerable amount of time, the trial regarding his case was not over and it was delayed, with people in authority being changed, he has already been in the prison for two years. The delay in your life is not because God has forgotten you but because there is a reason behind every delay, trial and pain in your life. Understand this and then go ahead to read the rest of this prophetic message that comes to you today!
Though in prison, lonely and in despair, Paul was able to confidently and with exuberance say “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today..” God had a purpose in investing the best skills, education, astute, sharp brain, confidence, grit and guts for Paul so that he may be able to stand before kings and queens! Say Amen. While you think you are forgotten in a prison but look God is operating behind the scene to bring you before not ordinary but people of high cadre and the cream of society (the best). Consider yourself fortunate to suffer for God!
COVID 19 pandemic crisis, Stress, work pressure, late-night work, targets, projects, uncertainty, cut-throat ruthless competition, and what not have severely wounded the spirits of people; the question now is what they’re going to do about it. And the answer, I fear, is: not much. We seldom run to God for help, we try every other source other than His Sanctuary don’t we? For one thing, while the Christians have given up on hope, they haven’t given up on fear, though. Fear rules the hearts of people! While the ‘confidence-in-God theory’ appears to be well and truly buried in today’s world, scare stories remain popular. Faith-in-God and His power remains a myth because we have put God and His Word in the shelf and forgotten church, since we are busy tapping away our laptops on Sundays. Anybody listening? But Paul said, “having obtained help from God, I stand to this day!” Clap hands for God! Fear not! HE IS OUR HELPER!
David was able to sing, “You have been my help…” in the wilderness!
Psalms 63:7”Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.”
It is in the wilderness, when all the other props vanish, that we realize: while everything else may fail; His help, support and presence is everlasting. Amen. David wrote the above scripture in the wilderness, not many of us can sing in the desert, can we? We live in a world that promotes you to cling on to materials, worldly system, modern techniques and skills for help. Just look at the billboards and hoardings that bombard you with retirement plans, life insurance policies and apartments that would offer security. It is alright to plan for them but not at the cost of throwing God away from your life. Are you listening? Don’t allow hyperbolic excesses to mesmerize you; don’t compromise your walk with God for anything in life. We huff and puff to earn and save for the future only to be blown away by the wind and left abandoned. Read Psalm 49:16, 17 “Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.”
None of the exotic destinations in the world can offer the peace, calmness and quietness that only JESUS can offer in His presence and that’s why David wrote: “My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.” Friend, if anyone promises the moon, don’t be carried away….pause and think….I tell you today, He is your only Helper. Amen.
I want to mention about Chinese Evangelist Watchman Nee who preached Jesus in China when it was ruled by the Communist Government and was sentenced to jail for his ministry. As he was taken to jail, he embraced his beloved wife and childhood sweet-heart Charity Chang for the last time, she was arrested shortly afterward, and they never saw each other again. Originally sentenced to 15 years, Watchman endured tremendous hardship in prison. He suffered extreme cold in winter and unbearable heat in summer. He lost so much weight that his six-foot frame was skin and bones. Yet his faith remained unconquerable. He sang hymns in his cell and preached the gospel to everyone he met. The man lodged next to his cell got saved through his preaching and singing from his cell. Watchman’s sentence was complete in 1967, and his wife now released from prison, awaited him at their home in Shanghai. But the Communist government extended his prison stay. In 1972, he received word that Charity Chang had gone home to the Lord, and later that year, Watchman joined her. If Jesus had not been their companion and helper, they would have perished in their sorrow. David wrote: Psalm 119:50”This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.”
After moving to Hyderabad and when God placed it in our hearts to start a church, we had a tremendous challenge of locating a place, translator and next were souls for the church. Surrounded by heathens and shallow Christians from denominational background who seldom go to church, it was a Herculean task. Well, during the first New Year service, except for a few heads, I was literally only preaching to chairs and tables because the little crowd that started to come also scattered. With tears and a choking voice I preached on the grace of God that morning through the following scriptures:
Lamentations 3: 22”Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “Now I saw God’s love higher, wider, deeper….more than all human love, through the lens of suffering.
When apostle Paul was going through a difficult stage in his ministry, all forsook and abandoned him and he writes thus: “…..no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me..” (2 Timothy 4:16,17) Even while in prison, he glorifies God through his writings and in the midst of humiliation, pain and sufferings, he was able to say, “Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus…” (Philemon 1:1)
Moses spent 40 days without food and water on Mount Sinai twice, where do you think he got the energy to withstand the loneliness, hunger and weakness? From the Bread of life! Friend, the joy in you would ooze out through the words you write and the words you speak; every movement of yours would reflect the inward love and trust that you have in Christ. The world does not know this and they are watching your walk as you go through the difficult path in your life. Do not panic or fear but boldly claim like David: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me..”
