DAILY TEXT, Today Wednesday October 2, 2024,  Jehovah is my helper. I will not be afraid (Heb. 13:6).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid (Heb. 13:6).

The word translated “helper” in this verse refers to a person who runs to the aid of someone who is crying for help. Imagine Jehovah running to save someone who is in a difficult situation. This description certainly shows that Jehovah is not only willing to help us, but he wholeheartedly desires to do so. With Jehovah at our side, we can endure trials and still be happy. In what ways does Jehovah help us? The answer is found in the book of Isaiah. Many of the prophecies that Isaiah inspired to write have special meaning for God’s servants today. And Isaiah often describes Jehovah using words that are easy to understand. For example, in chapter 30 he uses beautiful comparisons to describe how Jehovah helps his people. There he says that Jehovah (1) listens carefully to and answers our prayers, (2) guides us, and (3) blesses us now and in the future. w22.11 8 §2-3

What did Jehovah say about the Jews in Isaiah’s day, and what did he allow to happen to them? (b) What hope did Jehovah give to faithful Jews? (Isaiah 30:18, 19)

At the beginning of Isaiah chapter 30, Jehovah called the Jews “stubborn children” and said that they were “adding sin to sin.” He went on to say: “They are a rebellious people . . . they refuse to hear the law of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 30:1, 9) Because of their disobedience, Isaiah foretold that Jehovah would allow terrible disaster to fall on them. (Isaiah 30:5, 17; Jer. 25:8–11) And so it did—the Babylonians took them into exile. But there were some faithful Jews, too, and the prophet Isaiah had a message of hope for them: One day, Jehovah would grant them favor again. (Read Isaiah 30:18, 19.) And those words came true. Jehovah delivered them from Babylon, but not right away. The phrase “Jehovah waits patiently to show them favor” implied that some time would pass before faithful Jews were released. In fact, it was 70 years before Jehovah permitted some Jews to return to Jerusalem. (Isa. 10:21; Jer. 29:10) When they returned to their homeland, the tears of sadness they had shed in exile were turned to tears of joy.

What does Isaiah 30:19 guarantee us?

Today, we also find great encouragement in these words: “When you cry for help, he will surely show you favor” (Isaiah 30:19). Isaiah assures us that Jehovah will listen attentively to our prayers and will answer them quickly. The prophet adds: “He will answer you as soon as he hears you.” These comforting words remind us that our Father is not only willing to come to the aid of those who ask him for help, but he wholeheartedly desires to do so. Doesn’t keeping this in mind help us endure with joy?

How do Isaiah’s words indicate that Jehovah hears the prayers of each of his servants?

This verse also confirms that Jehovah listens with interest to the prayers of each one of us. Why do we say this? In the first part of Isaiah chapter 30, Jehovah speaks of “you” in the plural, because he is speaking to his people as a whole. But in verse 19 he speaks of “you” in the singular, because he is speaking to his servants individually. Isaiah says, “You will surely weep no more,” “He will surely show you favor,” “He will answer you.” Because Jehovah is a loving Father, when one of his children is discouraged, he does not say, “You must be strong like your brother.” Rather, he cares about each one of us and answers our prayers personally. (Ps. 116:1; Isa. 57:15)

How do Isaiah and Jesus show the importance of praying persistently?

When we pray to our God about something that worries us, the first thing he may do is give us strength to endure the situation. And if the trial does not go away as quickly as we would like, we may have to ask him many times for strength to endure. In fact, that is what he himself encourages us to do. This is the message conveyed by these words of Isaiah: “Give him no rest,” that is, Jehovah. (Isa. 62:7) What does this mean? That our prayers must be so insistent that, so to speak, we do not give Jehovah any rest. This reminds us of something Jesus said about prayer, which we read in Luke 11:8-10, 13. Using various comparisons, he encouraged us to pray “with persistence and boldness,” and to continue asking for holy spirit. We can also ask Jehovah to guide us in making good decisions.