Young Adults' Group

The Happiness Of Knowing God As Our Help

by Pastor Mark
July 09, 2020

Learning from experience

The Psalmist often wrote from the experiences of his life. Sometimes, it was through the lessons of life that wisdom was gained.

One wise lesson that the Psalmist learnt was about not putting his trust in man. We read, “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.” (Ps 146:3) The Psalmist may have trusted in a “prince” before but recognised how limited man’s help is. He saw how frail all men are no matter how great or small they may be. A man’s spirit and plans can quickly come to an abrupt end when he dies. (Ps 146:4)

There is a tendency for us to place our hopes and trust in man, especially those in “high places” to offer help in one way or another. Let us recognise how limited all men are. Let us learn to place our trust in the Lord instead.

The happiness of knowing God

The Psalmist wrote, “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God,” (Ps 146:5) The Psalmist found such happiness in knowing God. The title “God of Jacob” reflects the faithfulness of God. Jacob was always used in reference to how sinful he was. (Gen 26,27) Despite the sins of Israel and the Psalmist, he was happy in knowing the faithfulness of the God of Jacob. God is the Creator of the heaven and the earth, the sea and all that is in them. (Ps 146:6) He also keeps truth forever. (Ps 146:6) What an incredible joy and privilege in knowing God!

The greatest help of all (Ps 146:7–9)

The Psalmist looked to the Lord as his greatest help. No one could help as the Lord could. The Psalmist wrote a list of ways in which God could help.

1. God executes justice for the oppressed
2. He gives food to the hungry
3. He gives freedom to the prisoners
4. He opens the eyes of the blind
5. He raises those who are bowed down
6. He loves the righteous
7. He watches over the strangers
8. He relieves the fatherless and widow
9. He turns upside down the ways of the wicked

Only God can perform all these things. Let us appreciate the Lord as our greatest help.

Hoping and trusting fully in God

The Psalmist learnt to place his full hope and trust in the Lord. He is reliable and trustworthy. He is in absolute control over all things. He reigns over all things as our sovereign King. (Ps 146:10) There is nothing that is beyond His control, and His reign is forever. Whatever help we need in life, our Lord and King would be there to help us. We have every reason to exercise hope and trust in the Lord.

Let us choose not to place our trust in man who is very limited. Let us learn to focus on knowing the Lord and seeking His help. Let us place our full hope and trust in Him.

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