Help, LORD!

"Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me."

¹"Help, LORD!" Two words your mother spoke over and over again before she passed. "Help, Lord!" rings in my ears. 

Given the time, circumstances, and person speaking them … no words could be more precious. 

"Help, LORD!" A short, sweet, suggestive, seasonable, and humble cry. It is so useful on every occasion, from the dawn of day to the sleeper's pillow. It's a kind of angel's sword, to be turned every way and used on all occasions. 

As I listened from the kitchen, the repeated, "Help LORD!" I was reminded of the Psalmist who uttered them as he felt his inability to deal with his own deep waters. So, he turns himself to his all-sufficient Helper, The LORD, whose help is never denied to those who trust Him.

"Help, LORD," is a phrase I shall never forget. It echoes in my heart. What a prayer, pregnant with humility, trust, and love. The most amazing part is that these words do not come from a darkened heart, but a heart lit by grace. A heart that knows where all help is found. We can all use these words to dart up to Heaven in times of trouble, whether in labor, learning, suffering, fighting, living, or dying. I saw that morning that the abundant heart can speak, even in a semi-conscious state.

Two words. Two little words. "Help, LORD!" is a large prayer when the mind is weak, the feet heavy, and words all but forgotten. It's a buoyant prayer when the stream of faith seems too shallow to float a more well-ordered vessel. This reminded me of a meditation from what I can only surmise was your mother's favorite devotional author...

Bogatsky's Golden Treasury for the Children of God

“I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.” Gen. 49:18. 

MANY have received comfort from these words in death, and waited in faith for their salvation. The thoughtless and impenitent wait only for temporal prosperity in their lives, and therefore cannot expect eternal bliss; but, on the contrary, a dreadful judgment after death. O that they would examine themselves this very day; at the eve of life, they might depart in peace like Jacob and Simeon. We will not, therefore, look for any earthly things, but for the Savior, who is already come, who will grant us his salvation, his aid and deliverance in life and death, and will conduct us safely at last, though we should wait some time for his help. 

Yes, my Redeemer, they who wait, depend upon, and hope in thee, shall not be ashamed; grant us only faith and patience, that we may wait on thee from one morning watch to another; and enduring all things, make the whole course of our lives one perpetual expectation of thy aid; and may we ever abundantly experience thy help and salvation, especially at our latter end. His own soft hand shall wipe the tears, From every weeping eye; And pains and groans, and griefs and fears And death itself, shall die. How long, dear Saviour, how long Shall this bright hour delay? Fly swiftly round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day. Your mother is not gone, but stepped into the "welcome day."

The eternal day. 

So, with both sadness and expectation in our hearts, let us cry out ‘Help, LORD’ during this hour of our grief and throughout our lives.

1. I wrote and read this for the family upon the passing of one of our dear old members, Mrs. Ruth Greendyk.