WELL TIMED HELP

WELL TIMED HELP

Joh 11:18-32/KJV 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.  29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Have you ever been in a situation when someone comes to you asking for assistance but you could not meet that need immediately and after two to four days you are in a position to meet the need but it was already late. Or have you been in a position where you need serious assistance and the person that you approach tells you that he could not help at that moment only for him to call you a week later so that you can come but unfortunately it was already late. Such is life and that is human experience. Many of us have been on the sides of the equation.

In the text that was read both Martha and Mary accused the Lord Jesus of coming too late. They both said the same thing that if He had been there earlier their brother Lazarus wouldn’t have died. Their statement is loaded. 

1. It shows that Jesus couldn’t have been a true friend because a friend in need is a friend in deed. 
2. Their statement also implied that He didn’t care enough for a friend He loves.
3. It shows that Lazarus was permitted to die. God must have allowed it.
4. Lastly, His coming was not really appreciated after all Lazarus was dead.

When you read the story the Lord was telling the two sisters that as far as God is concerned nothing is too late. He said that standing right there with them is the resurrection and life. That it doesn’t even matter if Lazarus was dead, he will live again.

Whatever is considered dead in any man’s life shall receive life again. They shall come back to life. There shall be restoration in Jesus’ name.

Many brethren are like Martha and mary. Many of us have come to the conclusion that it’s late or that it’s getting too late. But as I study the Bible I have come to find out that God is never too early or too late in all His dealings with mankind. He is always on time. The psalmist says:

Psa 46:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

The word “help” here means aid, assistance. The word “trouble” would cover all that can come upon us which would give us anxiety or sorrow. 

The word rendered “present” – “nimetsâ” – means rather, “is found,” or “has been found;” that is, he has “proved” himself to be a help in trouble.

The word “present,” as if he were near to us, or close by us, does not accurately express the idea, which is rather, that “he has been found” to be such, or that he has always “proved” himself to be such a help, and that, therefore, we may now confide in him. The word “very,” or “exceedingly,” is added to qualify the whole proposition, as if this were “emphatically true.”(Barnes)

This is the reason why the writer of the book of Hebrew asks us to come to the throne of grace since we have a high priest there and an advocate.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The word “ time of need” in Greek is “eukairos” . It is pronounced: yoo’-kahee-ros and it means: seasonable, timely, opportune. Well timed, that is, opportune: – convenient, in time of need.

Ευκairos is an old word also ( ευ, well, καιros, opportunity), only here in N.T. “For well-timed help,” “for help in the nick of time,” before too late.

Instances of well timed help

Moses and Jethro’s daughters

Exo 2:16-19. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.  17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye have come so soon to day?  19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

Moses was running away from Egypt and while resting he observed how the shepherds drove the girls away. He could have minded his own business but the Bible says Moses stood up and helped them. How come Moses was there at that time when the girls came to fetch water. May your Moses stand up for you in Jesus name.

When they got home their father was shocked to see them returning very early because he was used to seeing them late in the night but that day they arrived home very early because according to them an Egyptian helped them. Many of our delayed projects would have been completed a long time if only “an Egyptian helped us” But after this encounter your own Egyptian shall arise and show up in Jesus name. They shall get up for your sake in Jesus name.

David and Saul

Because Saul knew that David would reign as king of Israel and had been anointed, he decided to pursue and kill him. Several times he had made an attempt. This is one of those times.

1Sam 23:25-28.  25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.  26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.  27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.  28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

Saul and his men had compassed David that there was no way of escape. He would have killed David that day but suddenly a messenger came and informed Saul about the Philistine so he left off pursuing David.

Who was that messenger that came at that time? How did he know the place where Saul was? And why did this message come at the time when Saul was 100% sure of getting David?

On the day of trouble your own messenger will arrive in Jesus’ name. It was a divine arrangement and providence. Other times David had escaped from Saul but this time there was no escape route but at the nick of time help came through a messenger. Your help shall come in Jesus name.

David and the giant

2Sam 21:15-17/ 15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. 16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

David went with his men to battle and at this time he was already getting old and he was exhausted and according to the Bible he waxed faint. It was at this time that the giant called Ishbibenob thought it right and took the advantage to kill David. He would have done that but the Bible says one of the mighty men of David Abishai was close by and when he saw what was about to happen he succoured him. He helped David. This is the only time anyone ever came to help David in any war. The king himself needed help. And the help came at the right time. May your helper come at the right time in Jesus’ name.

Paul and the Commander 

The Jews had arrested Paul in the temple. They accused him of teaching profanity, that the jews should not regard the temple and the law of Moses, that they should not circumcise their male children and above all that he brought a Greek into the temple. There was an uproar and they wanted to kill Paul. Then something happened:

Act 21:31-32 KJV 31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.  32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Every assault against any life is terminated in Jesus name.

The Bible says immediately the Chief captain took soldiers and centurion and ran to the temple from their  Antonia. If the chief captain had delayed for a few minutes or care-less about Jewish affairs, those people would have killed Paul and today we wouldn’t have gotten all the revelations of the grace of the Lord Jesus and epistles of the New Testament. Thank God that help came at the time when it was needed most.

WHEN HELP COMES LATE

However, some help can come a little bit late. such was the case of Reuben and Joseph. Joseph’s brothers had conspired to kill him because of his dreams but Reuben had placated them to just put him in a pit with the intention to come later and rescue Joseph.

Gen 37:22 KJV And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

Later that day when Reuben was not around they saw Midianites caravan and they decided to sell Joseph into slavery. When Reuben came back it was already too late. Joseph was gone.

Gen 37:29-30/KJV 29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rented his clothes. 30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

That delay from Reuben cost Joseph 13 years in slavery.

HOW DO WE RECEIVE THIS WELL TIMED HELP?

IT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT. IT IS MUCH MORE AVAILABLE NOW.

The good news is that we are already helped. We only need to believe in it and call out for help.

The Lord Jesus said He will not leave us helpless.

Joh 14:18 KJV I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The word for comfortless is or-fan-os that is bereft of father or mother, helpless. 

John 14:18 AMP I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.

We have a helper now.

Joh 14:16 KJV And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:16 AMP And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever–

The word comforter is paraklētos. It means summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant

Heb 4:16 KJV Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Greek word used for “help” in that verse is “boētheia” and it is properly rendered assistance, help, or support; but it is an assistance in consequence of the earnest cry of the person in distress, for the word signifies to run at the cry, the root word is “boēthos” It means a succurer that run.

So, even at the throne of grace, or great propitiatory, no help can be expected where there is no cry, and where there is no cry there is no felt necessity; for he that feels he is perishing will cry aloud for help, and to such a cry the compassionate High Priest will run; and the time of need is the time in which God will show mercy; nor will he ever delay it when it is necessary

Jesus and His disciples

After the miracle of feeding 5000 men, He constrained His disciples to go to the other side. While they were on their journey there was a storm. Jesus saw them and was going to meet them but then something else happened:

Mar 6:48-50/KJV 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

He would have passed by them. How? Why? I thought He was going to rescue and help them. Ladies and gentlemen until the disciples cried out for help He didn’t come to their aid. It was when they cried that he spoke to them. 

This Help or this well timed help we are talking about comes as a response to earnest cry. We should never assume that God knows our troubles already so no need to call upon Him again or bother Him or when it pleases Him, He will answer. This is not right as a loving father. He is waiting for our earnest cry unto Him and he will succour us.

Conclusion

We have a helper

Heb 13:5-6/KJV 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

When you condensed the two verses it becomes something like “for He hath said that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper”

Song

call upon Jesus in the day of trouble, call upon him, he will answer you.