Many times n the past when I would find myself troubled or hurting, a well-meaning Christian friend would tell me “Don’t worry, God knows what you’re going through.”

They intended for the comment to soothe and comfort me, but somehow on the inside, their comment only made the pain worse. If God knows what I am going through, why isn’t He doing anything? Why isn’t God helping?

Simply knowing that “God knows what you’re going through” doesn’t really do anything to ease the pain— in-fact, it hurts all the more, because God has the power to help!

If this describes you today, I have some good news, because God’s help is far more than merely a nice thought. Today we will explore how to receive real tangible help, for real problems.

 

Your Source of Help

Before we can understand how to receive meaningful help, we need to know where it comes from; we need to know our source of help. In Hebrews 4:15-16, we can read this:

“ ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

As we can see in verse fifteen we do indeed have a high priest (Jesus) who understands our pain and weakness. However, as I mentioned in the opening, we have a tendency to stop at this one point and not continue onward. Knowing that Jesus understands out pains and weaknesses is not the end of the information here, and by itself, does little to help us.

Thankfully, verse sixteen continues explaining our source of help. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace. 

Not only does this tell us where our help is, but also what we are supposed to do. Come boldly, not with fear, worry, or guilt, but boldly! Also, please meditate on the detail that it is The throne of Grace to which we are to come. It’s not the throne of the Law, or the throne of our works, but specifically the throne of grace that is being highlighted here.

Notice the second half of verse sixteen; coming to the throne of grace allows us to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Keep in mind that verse fifteen and sixteen are part of the same thought; these two verses were meant to be read together. After explaining that we have a high priest who is able to understand and know our pains and weaknesses, it doesn’t end there. Verse sixteen then continues to tell us that by coming to the throne of Grace, we find that Grace, and also the help that we need.

What we see is that God’s help is not simply a pleasant thought. It’s not a pathetic attempt to simply comfort without offering any real help— there is real help offered here.

 

Help That Makes a Difference

Let’s explore the help that God gives to us, so that we can better understand what’s available. Far too often, we adopt a perspective of a God who is more of a bystander, or an audience, rather than an active participant.

If we go back a couple of chapters to Hebrews chapter two, we can see some more details about the help which God offers to us in Christ. Hebrews 2:14-18:

“ ¹⁴For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

¹⁵And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

¹⁶For truly he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

¹⁷Why in all things it behooved him to be made like to his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

¹⁸For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.”

These verses give us another glimpse into the way that we are helped in a tangible and meaningful way by God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Much the same as with our verses from Hebrews chapter four, these verses begin by explaining the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In verse fourteen we see how Jesus took on flesh and blood and that through death, destroyed the one who had the power over death, that is, the devil.

Verse fifteen continues that God also delivered those who through fear of death were subject to bondage.

There’s a lot of interesting and powerful information in these two verses. Through the death of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial atonement, He destroyed the devil by removing his power of death, thereby removing the bondage and fear of death that held people captive.

Jesus was not merely an angelic being, but a real flesh and blood person, so that He could make full and appropriate atonement for our sin. Jesus suffered all manner of temptation, so that He could offer real help to us when we are tempted.

All of these points fit together to build for us a picture of how Jesus helps us.

 

The Deeper Temptation

Now, when most people think of being tempted, they think of being tempted to commit sinful actions— but it goes deeper than that. In-fact before any sinful action happens, there first must be a deeper sin of wrong belief.

Wrong belief is how Satan tempted Eve, before she ate from the forbidden tree. Wrong belief is what prevented the Israelites from entering the promised land due to fear of the giants. It is wrong belief that ultimately causes a rejection of Jesus Christ and every gift and blessing that He freely gives.

The verses in Hebrews chapter 2 show us how Jesus helps us by dealing with the very root of the problem. Through proper understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice, and focusing on His finished work, and atonement for us, this can set our belief right, and guard us from the root of temptation. In simple terms, by looking at Jesus and what He has done for you, your soul is restored, and the temptations of self fall away. 

This truth is poetically described in the famous Psalm 23:

“ ¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.

³He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

 

The LORD is Your Help

Notice that it is the LORD that makes us lie down in green pastures, and lay down by still waters. It is the LORD who restores our soul (our mind, thoughts, and emotions); and it is the LORD who leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Jesus).

Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil. There’s no reason to be afraid because God is with us; much like being released from the bondage of the fear of death from our previous verse of Hebrews 2:15.

The LORD prepares a table, a feast for you, even in the presence of your enemies. You are anointed, and your cup of blessings overflows.

As you meditate on what God has done for you through the sacrifice of Christ, the words of verse 6 will become your words: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Be blessed.