THERE IS HELP...ALONGSIDE

Jesus Christ presents a powerful privilege and promise to every believer: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20b)  Wow!  It simply suggests that there are no problems, no pains and no challenges which will totally overwhelm believing disciples who pursue and practice the presence of the Lord.

I am often encouraged by Christ’s departing decree to his disciples (and by extension to us): “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18)  Since He is the high priest who is constantly concerned and intimately involved with us, Jesus Christ indeed shows up to engage and enlighten us (in every day and in every situation) as The Paraclete, the One who walks alongside for fellowship, direction and comfort.  We never need to look for alternatives or substitutes, because in “the author and finisher of our faith,” we indeed have The Real Thing. (Hebrews 12:2)  Acting as Jehovah Shammah, “the Lord is there”…all the time. (Ezekiel 48:35)  This inspiring truth reminds me of an intriguing story I read recently.

In a rural area, a poor farmer was tending to his horse named Buddy, when a stranger walked up, desperately needing the farmer’s help.  This stranger had lost control of his vehicle and ran off into a ditch.  He asked the farmer if his horse could somehow pull the vehicle out of the ditch, and he informed the farmer that his vehicle was very small.  The farmer said he would come along, bring his horse, and take a look, but could not promise he would help if his horse might be injured in some way from attempting to pull the vehicle out of the ditch.  

The farmer saw that the stranger was correct and that the vehicle was indeed small, so he fastened a strong rope to the vehicle and to his horse.  He was confident that Buddy would be able to pull the vehicle out of the ditch.  The farmer then shouted, “Pull, Casey, pull,” but the horse would not budge.  The farmer then called out, “Pull, Bailey, pull,” but the horse would not budge again. The farmer then screamed, “Pull, Mandy, pull,” but once again his horse would not move.  The farmer then said, “Pull, Buddy, pull,” and the horse quickly pulled the vehicle out of the ditch.  The stranger was very grateful but puzzled.  He asked the farmer why he had called his horse by four different names.  The farmer replied, “Buddy is blind, and I had to make him think he had a lot of help pulling the car out of the ditch or he might not have pulled at all.”

Interesting and applicable to us, isn’t it?  Whenever we embrace the mistaken notion that we are somehow incapable of accomplishing Christ’s Kingdom mission and mandate for our lives, we too wind up living far beneath our predestined position, power and privilege.  Although we were certainly designed to live in connection and community with others, we must never forget that the One True Source of our help is Almighty God.  No wonder the Psalmist David exclaimed with such commitment and confidence, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)  Amen!  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed.