God Helps in your Deep Need

 If we have no need, we do not need a miracle from God. If we can manage it humanly on our own, we often try to do just that.

• Barak Obama became president and tried to win the support of the world with the well-known words, ‘Yes, we can!’ But despite these words, he has failed in many ways.

•  Angela Merkel has taken the same line: ‘We can do it!’ She still says so, but has it worked?

• Politicians claim that Islam is a religion of peace, but where do we find peace in the Middle East?

   After 1990, a new era began, where the Russians were supposed to be our democratic partners in a new world order, but now we see a not-so-friendly leader in Moscow.

  Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will protect you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
   
  God does not deceive us with false assurance and hollow promises. Where there is no threat, we do not need encouragement to overcome fear.
   
  The prophet David, king of Israel, had to confront real threats. He left us many psalms that testify to his struggle against fear.
  
  Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
  My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Ps 56:1–3 NIV
   
  These are our invincible weapons against fear, the testimonies of those who have overcome danger and fear.
   
  God's word is not just made up of dogmas and commandments, but also of totally reliable promises. They are reliable for two reasons.
  
  Firstly, they come from God, who will never let us down because he is completely truthful and also almighty.
  We can also rely on God's promises because they have been proven in hard times of affliction.
  
  God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NASB95
   
  The words in the Bible are not just words. God has kept his promises again and again in the Bible stories.
  
  I have seen time and again how God has saved me and others from death, illness, poverty and unemployment.
   
  So often we expect our parents, partners, friends, doctors, communities, employers or politicians to provide the help we urgently need. Sometimes we get help from people and sometimes they let us down.
  
  But God has never let me down. I have often seen God intervene in humanly impossible circumstances.
   
  It is often precisely in impossible situations that we have to make a decision. Should we panic or just seek human help? Panic doesn't work at all and passive resignation is like death itself.
  
  But we have a God who gave his son to death but then raised him from the dead. Jesus died so that we can always find a way out of any situation.
   
  Jesus said before his death:
  
  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
  and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 NASB95
  
  God has work for the unemployed, healing for the sick, joy for the depressed, a future for the hopeless.
   
  When Christian children in Syria or Iraq are beheaded by terrorists because they refuse to become Muslims, they are immediately caught up and their souls appear in God's heaven, where they immediately receive God's comfort and love.
   
  Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
  For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
  You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:9–11 NRSV

Trusting God on Grey Days

 Dear God, I feel grey and deflated. The sky is grey, but where is the rain?
It's warm, but not nice and warm.

What can I do when everything around me and inside me is grey? Never forget that God's love envelops me.

If you know Jesus as your Saviour, God's Spirit lives in you 24 hours a day.
You carry heaven within you.

Are you threatened by evil people?

I've been thinking about it since yesterday. I feel anger and no love, but I must love my enemies.
I pray for my enemy to meet Jesus before he dies.

I pray without tender feelings, but I pray anyway.

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Ps 25:1–2 NKJV

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. Ps 42:5 NKJV

God's Amazing Protection in Wartime

 1944 was a terrible time in Germany. The war was as good as lost, but the Nazis were still in power. British and American air raids became more and more intense. Day and night, thousands and thousands of civilians lost their lives.

During this traumatic time, a German preacher, Hermann Zaiss, lived in Solingen, a neighbourhood in Wuppertal. He had suffered a lot in his life.

He was a prisoner of war for 4 years during the First World War.  Then he served as an evangelist in Germany, but he was persecuted by the Christians because he was a Pentecostal. Then his wife became mentally ill, chronically psychotic.

His heart was broken. He could no longer bear it. He decided to turn away from God. He still believed, but he told God he wanted nothing more to do with him.

“I told God: ‘If you are alive and have an interest in me and your love for me is so great, then come and get me again after 20 years!’”

He divorced his mentally ill wife, became very successful as an entrepreneur and remarried.

Then came the terrible bombing raids in Germany. Everyone was gripped by panic and despair.

As early as 1939, his wife Clara had found her way to God through prayer for her seriously ill daughter. God had healed her daughter and she begged her husband again and again to resume his ministry and help the suffering people.

On 22 July 1944, exactly 20 years after turning away from God, Hermann and Clara knelt down in the bombed-out Protestant church in Ohligs and prayed: ‘Lord, if you want us back, here we are.’ He received a clear commission from God to preach the gospel boldly and with power.

Schneider, Peter. Lame dancing under the pulpit: signs and wonders in the church services of Hermann Zaiss (German Edition) . Asaph Publishing House. Kindle Edition.

Hermann started a house group and God blessed this small beginning. Many desperate neighbours sought Gods help.

The meetings grew larger. They prayed together and trusted God to protect them from the bombs.

In November 1944, Solingen was bombed and thousands lost their lives. Then Hermann Zaiss heard on the radio that the bombers were on their way to his neighbourhood in Ohligs. He went into the garden and prayed for protection and peace.

Shortly afterwards, he heard again on the radio that the bombers had turned away for no apparent reason.

There were also faithful Christians on the British side who prayed for protection.

Colonel Whittlesey was the commander of a British regiment in the Second World War. He was a Christian. He ordered his soldiers to recite Psalm 91 every day. The regiment was in fierce fighting for five years and not a single man was killed.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Ps 91:7 NIV

If God protected many German civilians from bomb attacks during the war and also saved British soldiers, you can be sure that He can also help you during this time and wants to save you.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. Ps 91:1–3 NLT

God Cares for You

 Maybe you feel wounded and torn. Sometimes you don't know exactly why you feel down, but there is someone who sees and knows, and he is for you, not against you.

One of the best-loved passages in the Bible is the Shepherd Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Ps 23:1–3 NKJV

How often your feelings are torn and confused and you don't understand exactly why. But God understands, and he wants to heal the wounds in your heart.

He wants to lead you on the path that is best for you, but when you feel confused and wander in a fog of discouragement, you can't see clearly which way to go.

When you're in a fog, you can't see the light. How can you know which way to go if you can't see clearly?

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Ps 23:4 NASB95

Shepherds in the Middle East had a stick or club to ward off wild animals and a staff to pick up sheep that were stuck and could not get up on their own.

If you can't see the way, trust in the Good Shepherd of your soul.

God sent his eternal Son to be the good shepherd for your soul.

Before he became a king and a prophet, David himself was a shepherd. He was a humble farm labourer, but he knew God as his shepherd.

‘The LORD is my shepherd.’

When Jesus preached to the Jews, he boldly said that he was the good shepherd, the Lord and God of David.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. Jn 10:14–15 NASB95

If you are wounded and upset and cannot see clearly, ask Jesus to pour his healing Holy Spirit into your wounds.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Ps 23:5 NASB95

When the sheep had cuts and scratches, the shepherd rubbed the wounds with soothing oil.

You can find rest in the presence of God. Ask him to anoint your head with the healing and soothing presence of his loving Spirit. You can invite him to pour his oil into your cuts and wounds.

When you entrust your life to Jesus, you can be sure that his loving care and mercy will never be taken away from you.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Ps 23:6 NKJV

Bible Texts to Help You Pray

 Here are some Bible texts with short comments to help you pray.

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Ps 8:2 NIV

God hears the prayers of young children and newly converted Christians. Are you not a hero of faith? No matter, let God hear the cry of your heart. He wants to help you and perhaps surprise you.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7–8 NLT

• Maybe you're praying and you're not getting an answer. Don't worry about it. God wants to hear you. Please don't give up.

• Seek more help.

• Seek more wisdom in the Bible so that you can pray better.

• Ask other Christians to pray with you.

• Ask God to give you intuitive insight into how to pray.

• Ask God to reveal to you if you are clinging to a sinful attitude so that your faith is blocked.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognise that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 Jn 3:1 NLT

Do you believe in Jesus? You must understand that God wants to bless you.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Rom 8:31–32 NRSV

There are some Christians who have a distorted image of God. They see themselves as wretched sinners who deserve nothing and therefore should not expect much from God.

When the prodigal son returned to his father in Luke 15, he asked for the grace to serve as a servant. How did the father respond?

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. Lk 15:22–23 NIV

Are you weak in faith? You know that nothing is impossible for God, but you doubt whether your weak faith is enough to get an answer.

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.

Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Mt 13:31–32 NIV

Start small and never give up. Your little faith can grow until you know God better and your faith becomes strong.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:4 NIV

Last Minute Mercy for the Dying

 I know a faithful Christian woman who loved her nephew dearly, and she prayed for the rebellious teenager.

One day the woman was sick in bed and dreamt of a terrible dark cave. This was death itself.

In her dream, she heard a voice telling her that someone in her family was in mortal danger and she had to pray fervently. She prayed until she felt relieved.

It was only later that day that she heard how her beloved nephew had died in a car accident.

God answers prayers.

So many young and old people meet the Saviour in the last moment of their lives, meet God's Son who died on the cross for them and never wants to give up his saving mission for everyone.

Never give up. God is at work.

You may not be a hero of faith, but God can call others to stand by your loved ones with strong faith.

Do not give up. Your prayers are not in vain, either.

A friend of mine was a nurse. She told me about an old lady in the ward where she worked. This old lady was about 90 years old and had been at death's door for months.

She was also very lonely because she didn't speak any English. But she spoke good German.

I went to the chaplain and got permission to visit the old lady. I sat next to her bed and read German Bible texts to her. She listened attentively, and God helped me to make the way of faith clear.

During my last visit, she stared around her room. I thought she had dementia, but maybe she was seeing angels.

I read the following words:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 NRSV

I asked: ‘Do you believe this?’
She answered with an amazingly firm voice.
‘Yes, I believe!’

I didn't see her again, but I was at the funeral. Everyone was crying. They were not sure that the old woman was in heaven.

Who have you lost?
Maybe all is not lost. What can you do?
God hears even your weak prayers.

If you can't do anything yourself, God will answer your prayers.

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NASB95

God's Invisible Protection

 I prayed for encouragement and inspiration from God. Then I had an impression in my spirit.

I saw someone walking on a tightrope. I didn't see a safety net, but there was another rope. The tightrope walker was wearing a belt or harness with a strong clasp. Another rope was attached to this  clasp. Somewhere above the tightrope walker, someone held the rope securely. If he fell off the rope, he was held from above.

We have an invisible bodyguard.

I am 75 years old and live in peace and security with my dear wife. We are retired and not sick or impoverished, but troubling storms rage around us.

Two close friends have passed away. People in my close circle of friends and family are asking for prayer because of serious illness.

What can I do? I am just a vulnerable man myself, no longer young.

But I have a mighty, loving God. He answers my prayers and I often see Him intervene in amazing ways.

Some time ago, I was sawing a branch off a small tree with a handsaw. I was leaning against the branch and when it gave way, I fell head first. That was extremely dangerous.

I fell headfirst into a pile of leaves. I tucked my chin in and did a half somersault. I did it instinctively, without thinking. Thank God.

There was hard concrete under the pile of leaves. If I had been a diligent gardener, I might have fallen onto the concrete and broken my skull or injured my spine. A hardworking gardener would have cleared away the dry leaves.

My wife was alarmed. She told me not to move. But I didn't feel any pain. I got up slowly. I had a little blood on one arm, but otherwise I was unharmed.

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Ps 34:7 NIV

Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Ps 91:9–11 NRSV

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Ps 34:4 NIV

Only God will not Fail You

If we have no need, we don't need a miracle from God. If we can do it humanly alone, we often try to do just that.

Barak Obama became president and tried to win the support of the world with the well-known words: ‘Yes, we can!’ But despite these words, he failed in many ways.
 
Politicians claim that Islam is a religion of peace, but where do we find peace in the Middle East?

After 1990, a new era began where the Russians were supposed to be our democratic partners in a new world order, but now we see a not so friendly man in Moscow.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is 41:10 NIV
 
God does not deceive us with false confidence and hollow promises. Where there is no threat, we need no encouragement to overcome fear.
 
The prophet David, the king of Israel, had to confront real threats. He left us many psalms that testify to his fight against fear.

Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Ps 56:1–3 NIV

This is our invincible weapon against fear, the testimonies of those who have overcome danger and fear.
 
God's word consists not only of doctrines and commandments, but of totally reliable promises. They are reliable for two reasons.

Firstly, they come from God, who will never let us down because he is completely truthful and also all powerful.

We can also rely on God's promises because they have been proven in hard afflictions.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps 46:1 NIV
 
The words in the Bible are not just words. God has kept his promises again and again in the Bible stories.

I have seen God save me and others from death, sickness, poverty and unemployment time and time again.
 
So often we expect parents, partners, friends, doctors, churches, employers or politicians to give us the help we desperately need. Sometimes we get help from people, and sometimes they let us down.

But God has never let me down. I have often seen how God has intervened in humanly impossible circumstances.
 
It is often in impossible situations that we have to make a decision. Should we panic or just seek human help? Panic doesn't work at all, and passive resignation is like death itself.

But we have a God who gave His Son over to death, but then raised Him from death. Jesus died so that we can always find a way out of every situation.
 
Jesus said before His death:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

God has work for the unemployed, healing for the sick, joy for the depressed, a future for the hopeless.
 
When Christian children are beheaded by terrorists because they refuse to become Muslims, they are immediately raised up and their souls appear in God's heaven, where they immediately receive God's comfort and love.
 
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit. 

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:9–11 NRSV

God's Plan for your Life

Are you in an impossible situation, and you can’t see a way out? In spite of everything, there is a good, all-powerful God who loves you with all his heart.

The 57th Psalm is a prayer by David, who was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Ps 57:1 NIV

King Saul was consumed with jealousy and murderous rage. David was surrounded by Saul and his soldiers and took refuge in a cave. David had no help but God.

He cried out with all his heart, but not loudly. He desperately needed help.

If you are being interrogated by the police or a mean boss, you can’t pray out loud but God hears the cry of your heart.

He was crying out for mercy. God's help is always grace, and God's mercy and grace is always there for you because He loves you.

God answered this prayer. David survived and became king.

God had a plan for David to become king.

 You may be overwhelmed with problems right now. God has a good plan for your life. He doesn't just want to help you through this crisis. He has a good future for you.

I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfil his purpose for me. Ps 57:2 NLT

The Never Ending Love of Jesus

• Have you been trying hard to do what God has called you to do?

• Have you sacrificed your time and strength for the people you help?

• Have you prayed with a sincere heart for the people God has given you to care for?

Yet you feel dry inside. The heavenly music that used to encourage you no longer stirs your heart as before. You no longer feel the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit as at other times.

You are fighting an ongoing  battle with problems in your family, in your job, with your health or your finances.

One or two problems would already be a challenge, but in so many areas of life you don't see a clear path, but messes on every side.

As if that wasn't enough, you see a world around you that is overwhelmed by crisis after crisis.  

And you see this not only in the daily news, but also in the high prices at the petrol station, in the supermarket and in the never ending pandemic.  

Sometimes you feel so weighed down that your fresh enthusiasm for God is compromised, though you never give up in your dedication and caring for others.

Jesus sees your daily struggle and his compassion is still a blazing fire. Jesus loves you and his grace is new every morning.

Jesus has a word for you today.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. La 3:22–25 NRSV