SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 60:11.     Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
 
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s under the weather this morning. A stubborn cold seems to have me in its grip. But only total incapacity or death can stop the Bit from going out. Ah better shut mih mouth here though, before the Lord decides to take me up on my boast, (smile) for He does delight in testing our bluster. Sadly, or rather luckily, I haven’t had a real cold for so long now that I’ve forgotten how lousy it can make you feel, as it drains, just saps the very energy from your lifeblood. And despite all the stuff I’m taking, it still has to run its course. It’s like fear in its workings, which saps the faith out of our souls and makes us wimpy, anxious and prone to worry. Unlike the normal cold though people, we cannot allow fear to run it’s course, otherwise it will stay with us permanently, and we’ll live a constantly fearful life. Fear has no natural stop time like the cold. We have to seriously and diligently work at eliminating it as soon as possible, nip it in the bud if we can. And how do we do that? By turning to Almighty God in faith, trust and total surrender! Note Bruh David’s plea in our Bit: ‘Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.’ Yes mih people, man’s help is very unreliable. Look at all the gated communities that have sprung up because of fear, with men guarding them. Unfortunately they are still liable to the evil that men do, because man is a finite, incomplete source of help and protection. Anything man-made can be unlocked or broken into by man. Look at all the security systems, dogs and otherwise that are supposed to protect our homes and businesses, yet they are still vandalized. The security guards with weapons on armoured trucks, they too have been robbed. So there’s no real help in man and his means. Oh Friends, it’s only in the presence of Almighty God, or His presence in our lives that a man can feel safe, and be guaranteed serious and sincere help in times of trouble. Bruh David ended Psalm 60, a prayer for help against the foe, with these words of assurance and comfort: ‘Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.’ (Ps.60:12) And that’s the undeniable truth my people! It is only with God’s help that we can overcome our enemies in this evil, oppressive world. Listen to what Bruh David says in Psalm 34, the Lord hears the righteous: ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack) to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want (lack) any good thing.’ (Ps.34:8-10) Then in Psalm 40, praise for answered prayer, he boldly proclaims: ‘Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust; and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps.40:4) Oh Friends, I do hope we’re getting the picture here, that it’s absolutely necessary to have faith and trust in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob if we’re to live a fruitful, successful and prosperous earthly life. And if those scriptures haven’t convinced you, (smile) let’s try a few more, starting with Psalm 84, titled, blessed are they that dwell in thy house: The psalmist at the end, confidently declares: ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.’ (Ps.84:11-12) Moving on to Psalm 118, where the psalmist is giving thanks for the Lord’s salvation, he also stoutly declares: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118:8-9) And we’ll end with some inspiring and uplifting words from Psalm 146, the blessedness of trusting God. The psalmist truthfully states: ‘Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man (human being), in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth (spirit departs), he returneth to his earth: in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’ (Ps.146:3-5) And that Friends is the gospel truth! No ifs, ands or buts about it. The only being it makes sense to trust completely is the Most High God Jehovah, who made the universe and everything in it, and still controls what happens therein. Man’s help can indeed be useful at times, but in the long run, it will inevitably let you down. So let’s be wise nuh and trust in the one true source of help – Almighty God! Much LOVE!…man is quick to promise help…but when push comes to shove…it’s only God…who will not disappoint you…