Hanging On By A Thread

"I have not a thread to hang upon and rest, but this one," wrote Samuel Rutherford, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she she would not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, she may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee u son the palms of My hands; Thy walls are continually before Me (Isaiah 49:15-16). For all outward helps do fail; it is time therefore for us to hang ourselves, as our Lord's vessels, upon the nail that is fastened in a sure place. We would make stakes of our own fastening, but they will break. Our Lord will have Zion on His own nail."

Sometimes it is only as the Lord becomes the only help we have, that we realize He is the only help we need. In their calls to worship, the Reformers very often would begin their services with words from Psalm 124:8, "Our Help is in the Name of the Lord who made heaven and earth." So, Christian, whatever enemies surround you this morning, whatever burdens threaten to crush you, and whatever problems perplex you, know this for certain: you are locked in the grip of tender omnipotence. If God is for you, who can stand against you. Stand steadfast, robust in the knowledge of the One who has pledged Himself to be your battle shield and buckler. Take no counsel from your fears, but remind yourself as Hezekiah, facing an overwhelming and insurmountable enemy, told His people:

““Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 32:7–8, NASB95)