The Helper is With You

Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
 
WHEN Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) This may be one of the most familiar passages in the church. Are we hearing and believing Jesus?
   To “go and make disciples” is a call to battle. To make disciples is to take captive for Christ those who are under Satan’s authority. As we know, it has been and is a deadly war. Thousands have died following Christ’s command. Why have people been so committed?
   It is because they believed Jesus’ promise, “I will be with you always.” The essential of understanding our relationship with God is to know with all certainty that he is with us always – from this life into eternity. One who believes this has no thing to fear.
   That’s why Hebrews teaches the church to remember and know God is their helper who is with them. Hebrews 13:6 is a reference from Psalms 118:7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. The psalmist rejoiced that God had helped him to overcome his enemies. Even though all the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. (Psalms 118:10) 
   When you know the Bible, you assuredly know God is a helper with power: Deuteronomy 33:29
“Blessed are you, O Israel!
Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.” He is Creator, Redeemer, the Resurrection and the Life. He does not quietly stand by, half-interested in what you are doing. Your LORD is actively engaged to enrich your life with his presence, so you will enrich his kingdom. Do you believe in God this way? Do you believe Jesus is with you as the God of power? Remember, he is the LORD, the eternal, self-existent Creator of heaven and earth. He has formed you in his image to be his. His calling on your life is a powerful testimony that he has created you to be firm to obey his commands, trusting his Word is true.  
   But we forget this. Or maybe we haven’t been taught to know of God’s personal passion to help us. To be a strong, disciple-making Christian and church, we need to know and believe Jesus’ promise and power to be with us. Be as the psalmist to declare victory over the enemy who is all around you: 1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  
   And one more thing. You are to be a helper, too. Remember, you are created in God’s image. That means you bear many characteristics of the eternal, self-existent God. As God is a helper, be a helper to his cause. Come alongside people. Be with them as Christ is with you.