The verse is a good follow up from this weekends verses in Hebrews 11. Once again, I like the Amplified Bible's translation. Stop for a minute and consider what it means to you to have God beside you as an ally to face the challenges and battles of the day. In the second portion of the verse the psalmist shows that he realizes that it is God who upholds him in these situations and not only that but He sovereignly brings others into our lives as allies to "uphold" our lives. This begs the question whose life am I upholding?
In a sermon from Hebrews 11 John Piper speaks of these same words "God is my helper". "In other words, if you really believe this promise, if you believe it is true, and your heart is satisfied with the God who promises to be there for you and help you, then you will not crave money, you will keep your marriage vows, you care for prisoners, welcome strangers and love each other. Faith in the promises of God is the power to live a radical, normal Christian life.
It takes strength. It takes strength to love. It takes strength to risk yourself with strangers. It takes strength to take the suffering of prisoners into your life, when you may have enough of your own. It takes strength to keep your marriage vows when the going gets rough and it is not the way you dreamed it would be. It takes strength to turn away from the promises of money. And that strength is what today's text is about. Where to get it and how to keep it. And the answers are not new, just newly stated."
Mike
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
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