Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.1
Indeed, history provides evidence of God’s steadfast love. He chose Israel a people as his own, although they were underserving. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any people that the LORD has set his love on you and chose you . . . but because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers. . . . Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. . . .2
He provided the means that we may be saved. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. . .”3 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . . God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.4 And promised not to leave us (reiterating His Father’s promise).5 After his resurrection Jesus appeared before his disciples—he ordered them to wait for the promise of the Father.6 And tasked them. “. . . But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”7
Jesus didn’t ascend without first giving his disciples their source of strength, encouragement, and comfort. To those who believed in him and repented, he justified, accepted, and adopted; by grace those he called are now heirs and has blessed each one in Christ with every spiritual blessing.8 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.9 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.10 Likewise, he generously grants us wisdom.11 God is our shield. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.12 He is our Healer.13 He is our Provider. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.14
OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, WHO MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH.15
Note:
1. Psalm 33:18-22
2. Deuteronomy 7:6-11
3. John 14:6
4. Romans 5:6-8
5. Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:8
6. Acts 1:4-5
7. Acts 1:7-8
8. Ephesians 1:3-14
9. Ephesians 1:13
10. John 14:26
11. James 1:5
12. Psalm 28:7
13. Psalm 41:3
14. Philippians 4:19
15, Psalm 124:8 [All caps mine]
