God Is My Helper

Hey, welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. The devotional for today titled God Is My Helper was written by Arthur Jackson. My friend Raleigh is sprinting towards his 85th birthday. Since my first conversation with him more than 35 years ago, he's been a source of inspiration. When he recently mentioned that since retiring he had completed a book manuscript and started another ministry initiative, I was intrigued but not surprised. At 85, Caleb in the Bible wasn't ready to stop either. His faith and devotion to God had sustained him through decades of wilderness living and wars to secure the inheritance God had promised Israel. He said in Joshua chapter 14, I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out.

I am just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. By what means would he conquer? Caleb declared that by the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said. Regardless of age, stage in life, or circumstances, God will help all who wholeheartedly trust him. In Jesus, our Savior who helps us, God was made visible.

The Gospel books inspire faith in God through what we see in Christ. He demonstrated God's care and compassion for all who looked to him for help. As the writer of Hebrews acknowledged, the Lord is my helper.

I will not be afraid. Young or old, weak or strong, bound or free, sprinting or limping, what's keeping us from asking for his help today? This is today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading from Joshua chapter 14 verses 6 through 12. Now, the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephanael the Kenizzite said to him, You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land, and I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear.

I, however, follow the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out. I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day.

You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified. But the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said. Now let's pray. Almighty God, would you help us to see you as our source of help in every and all circumstances.

And as we age, would you continue to ignite a passion in us for serving you and seeing lives changed by you. Fill us with your strength today. Give us courage to do the work you've called us to do. And may we complete it faithfully and with joy. Thank you, Lord. And it's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Wes Ward and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.