“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” – Luke 4:18-19
There are so many people right now who are going through tough times — people who are oppressed, tormented, helpless, grieving, crying, struggling, and weak. People are suffering and are being pressed down, and for some, it seems like the torment never ends. During these dark times, some people tend to question God’s presence and God’s help.
Where is God in the middle of all our trials? Does He really see our needs? Does He know our pains? Does God really care for us?
Short answer: Yes. And while we may not always see and feel God’s presence working in our situation, we have to remember that God is ever present. He is always there with us, in every situation. He is working on our behalf. He never stops working. He never stops seeing. He never stops helping. He came to help and to deliver us out of captivity, oppression, and torment. Jesus came to set us free.
God Sees and Knows Everything
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrificed my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” – John 10:14-16
God does not turn a blind eye to our situations. He does not ignore our cries for help. He listens. God sees our situation and His heart aches for us. He knows exactly what’s going on in our lives. He knows His sheep inside and out. He cares about every little detail of our lives and wants to be involved in our daily lives — even in our struggles.
God aches for us when He sees us hurting. He is not just a bystander. He sees us. He hurts for us. He has compassion for us. Our Good Shepherd knows His sheep. He knows when we are hurting. It pains Him every time we are afflicted. Each time we cry out to Him for help, He sends help.
Keep crying out to the God of the harvest. He is the God who heals, who provides, who delivers. Don’t stop asking God for help for He is the One who can do something about it. He’s our only hope. And through His power, anything is possible. Nothing is too difficult for Him. (Jeremiah 32:17)
God Sends Help by Using People
Did you know that you are an answer to someone else’s prayer? God wants to use you to be a blessing to someone. Praying to God is not enough. We have to do something. Remember that faith without deeds is dead. We have to supplement our prayers with work. (James 2:14-26) God is actively working in our lives to make things right and we have to partner with Him because He wants to use us.
Prayer and acting — these two go together. Jesus did not just pray for the people. He did something to help them. When Jesus commissioned the 12 disciples, He sent them out by name. He gave them the authority to bring the Kingdom to earth– to cast our demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, give as freely as they have received, and proclaim that the Kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 28:16-20). The authority is not ours. It’s God’s and it has been freely given to us so we need not hold it back. We have to give it as freely as we have received. And that’s why we are here. That’s what He sends us to do.
He is constantly working for us. He comforts, He invigorates, He boosts, and not only that — He also multiplies His work and the workers. He sends His followers out with His authority to continue His mission to seek and save the lost and that includes us. Jesus is sending us out to be the help to humanity. We are not here to provide for ourselves and save ourselves. We are here to help and provide for others in Jesus’ name and it’s all about giving back what God has given us. It’s not a burden or a weight on us. We have His authority on His behalf. We point people to Him, not to us.
Today, remember that you are an answer to someone’s prayer. You are meant to give hope and light to this world. So go out, see the needs of others, and be the help that others need.
