OUR HELP by H. C. Miller

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 9, 1869

OUR HELP.

By H. C. Miller

In every Christian experience the truth of our Lord’s every word pertaining thereto is demonstrated. With every overcomer the words of Jesus are proved true, where he says, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me, . . . for without me ye can do nothing.” John xv, 4, 5.

As I look over the path already past, I see where I failed to overcome in things sinful until I laid hold of my “Strength.” Habits have shown themselves that were sinful, and as I saw them I have immediately resolved that I would overcome them; but in disappointment, shame, and grief, the I has been obliged to confess its failure. The strength of sin was too great for the arm of flesh. But now in my reflections I can see that when my way has been like the Psalmist’s, to cry, “Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; Lord, be thou my helper,” I have, like him, been enabled to say, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness, to the end that my glory (my tongue or my soul, margin,) may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.” Ps. xxx, 10–12. I know with Job, that “He will not plead against me with his great power, but he will put strength in me if I lean unto him.”

“The Lord is the strength of my life.” Feeling thus, I opened my concordance in order to find a reference to the promises thereunto. How complete is the word! How full the consolation! Hear them: “The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted in him and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise him.” “The Lord is my strength.” “He is the saving strength of his anointed.” “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee.” “They go from strength to strength.” “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.”

“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedest me with strength in my soul.” Thou art “a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress.” “Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” “Surely shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength.” “He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.”

Truly the Lord is our helper. “Hitherto hath the Lord helped me.”

“Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’ve come; And I hope by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.”

H. C. MILLER.