Day 24

Our Only Help

from the Lent 2017: You Are Mine reading plan


Isaiah 31:1-9, Isaiah 32:1-20, Psalm 147:10-11, Joel 2:28-32

BY Kaitlin Wernet

Text: Isaiah 31:1-9, Isaiah 32:1-20, Psalm 147:10-11, Joel 2:28-32

I’m training for a half marathon and nobody knows about it. Until now. Well, “training” is a very scary and overly athletic-sounding term for what I’ve actually been doing. The simple truth is, I signed up for a race a while back, and I’m trying my best to not quit.

If you check my running history (read: “couch-sitting”), you’ll see that the odds of my completing the race aren’t exactly favorable. Then you’ll understand why you’re the first to hear about this half-marathon business: because I’m afraid to fail. I don’t want my family and friends to be cheering and waiting for me at a finish line I’ll never cross.

Some mornings, I wake up ready to tie my shoes and pound the pavement. Others, I can barely make the stretch to hit the snooze button. For every one of my consistencies, there are five inconsistencies. When I give attention to one thing, others suffer.

I’m not sure that I’m a real runner.
I will try my best to keep my promises.
I cannot make any guarantees.

Isaiah prophesies about running. He tells Israel they will run from their country. He tells us we will run from our God.

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help
and who depend on horses!
They trust in the abundance of chariots
and in the large number of horsemen.
They do not look to the Holy One of Israel
and they do not seek the Lord’s help.
– Isaiah 31:1

We think we can run on our own fuel. But when we try to do just that, we end up running away from the only One who can help us.

The promises we make to ourselves and others—to be more, to do better, to show up—can only ever be based on future hope. But God’s promises—to love us, to fight for our good, to never leave—are hinged on His current character and constant devotion. We can only hope to be consistent; He is constant.

Like the Israelites, if we look to our current disasters and future betrayals, we may think God, too, is running from His people. But if we look first to His promises, we see His loving path is already there, laid out before us, ready and waiting.

Isaiah also says this about our Lord: “But He also is wise and brings disaster. He does not go back on what He says” (Isaiah 31:2). Because love isn’t always giving us what we want; it’s being Who we need. While I can’t guarantee you’ll see me at the finish line in a few months, I know He’ll still be running to me—to all of us—just as He promised.

Praise the Lord, our only help, for He is faithful.

SRT-LENT2017-Instagram24s

Post Comments (71)

71 thoughts on "Our Only Help"

  1. Tracie Nall says:

    I too am so behind, I was doing well, caught up and on track (by my standard) and then LIFE! But God, (two of my favorite words in the whole English language) is showing me it isn’t about the pace but the perseverance, so I am picking up today where I am in the race and beginning to walk again, no jog, no run and definitely not a sprint, just a walk with God through the garden of His Word! Thank you for keeping the archive available for ladies like me! Be encouraged friends, God doesn’t judge our race based on our pace but on our perseverance! He just wants us to cross the finish line into glory as a better reflection of His Son!

  2. Alisa says:

    I too am “behind” on the study but trying to stay consistent is more difficult than ever-
    I was struck by all of your comments on confidence- I too try to “be in control ” yet I know ultimately only He holds my life in His hands. That’s all the confidence I need.

  3. Miss M says:

    This is the first moment in this Lenten Study where I’ve really felt hopeful. 32:9 “Stand up, you complacent woman; listen to me.” jumped right off the page. I feel like I live my life in complacency. It is the thing I want most to change, yet, all too often (read: DAILY), I find myself making choices that speak to my complacency, that further my choice to be complacent. I want (no, NEED) to listen to the voice of the Lord, to make choices that honor him, to put my ‘hope in His faithful love’.
    Today is also the first day in 5 days I’ve come back to the Word. I let my complacency pull me away. And even though I’m reading the ‘wrong’ passage for the date, it is so clear that I read the right passage for me. The Lord knew this is what I needed today.

    1. ~Amy F.~ says:

      I, too, am reading the “wrong” passage for the date, but I so needed to read this today! I want (need!) my love for my Lord to overcome my complacency!

    2. Jillian Johnson says:

      Overconfident Daughter was what struck me. How often do I have more confidence in myself than in the Lord?? Turns out I can be stupidly confident in myself, and regularly. And I am usually struck with shock and dismay when my confident plan crumbles right in front of me! This section of scripture has challenged me to revisit my self-sufficiency, and to lean on the Lord for the answers instead of pretending/assuming I have all the answers.

    3. Liddy says:

      I, too, am a couple days behind, and was reading Day 24 today. The words “complacent women” and “overconfident daughters” jumped out at me, too. I was telling someone just yesterday that I’ve really been convicted lately of the fact that I’ve been coasting – complacent – in my spiritual life, and that I’ve been convicted to do something about it – to start moving intentionally and purposefully against and out of the complacency. I wrote a note in the margin by that verse, “Complacency and overconfidence are both bad places to be.” I’ve also been struck by how often the words “listen,” “hear,” and “pay attention” are used in God’s Word. God clearly wants us to give careful and serious attention to what He’s saying – I pray that my heart will be more and more sensitive to listening, hearing, and paying attention to what He’s saying!

  4. Christina says:

    I studied and grappled with the passage before reading your devotion, Kaitlin, and I love how the Lord speaks consistently through His Word…. and His people! I’ve included what He spoke to me below, but I wanted to wish you well on your half marathon. I’ve now run two, and I had to give up the third one I was registered for because of scheduling conflicts and burnout. I hope to get back to it one day. Thank you for sharing this morning!

    “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

    “The promises we make to ourselves and others—to be more, to do better, to show up—can only ever be based on future hope. But God’s promises—to love us, to fight for our good, to never leave—are hinged on His current character and constant devotion. We can only hope to be consistent; He is constant.” <—-THIS is exactly why we cannot live out the Christian life on our own! We possess too many inconsistencies! It is is easy to become complacent! Only HE can live out His truth and love through us!

    I am sure the account of Isaiah 32:9-20 occurred in reality, but there is such a popping spiritual reality within it. It is the complacency of the church, the Bride of Christ, in relying on Christ to live out the love and truth of Christ that has led to briers and thorns that choke out our fruitful desire for Jesus. As a church, our teachings and lives have largely become a wasteland in which wild donkeys delight to dwell. Were we truly populated with the living out of the truth by the power of the Spirit we claim to believe, there would be no security for "wild beasts" that do not belong in our midst. "…until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high" (v. 15), we cannot be productive in our kingdom work. But if we turn from our complacency, if we stand boldly and lovingly on the Truth of the Gospel of Christ alone, "Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." (v. 16-18)

    1. Alli says:

      Thank you so much for your interpretation of Is. 32:9-20, Christina! I didn’t understand the wild donkey part, or most of it for that matter, especially how it would apply today; but it makes so much sense after reading your comment. May we be willing to do the hard work of turning from our complacency and becoming obedient to what the Lord shows us–by HIS strength–and then see “the effect of righteousness.” (Vs. 17)

  5. JM says:

    Wow what a precious promise we have from our heavenly father. It’s simple he is always there. Is not like many whom gives up when times get difficult but he is consistent.

  6. Emily R. says:

    I am ending my day woth today’s study, instead of starting with it. I love the reminder that, while we are inconsistent, God is constant. I needed to be reminded of that today.

  7. TL says:

    Our Only Help. Oh Lord, I know You are the only help and only hope for me. I am so weak, with the facade of strength, fooling no one but myself. I have been awakened today from the stupor of a long and difficult season by a word of concern from someone I trust who wants to see me well and prospering, that knows my potential. I have been scraping to survive for so many years – and though I have been entrusted with a gift from the Lord that is a great part of my calling from Him, I am ashamed to say that I have allowed it to become neglected – again. I have been going through the lazy motions of honing my talent, working harder lately at keeping the outward appearance in tip top shape and failing to be the exceedingly great that I know I am capable of through Christ alone in my practice of the gift that the He has given me. The most troubling part is that my behavior is cyclical. I inevitably let things go, whether by stress or circumstance or severe depression fogging up my every mental faculty, then I fight to get back to normal, and once there, I start from scratch again. For years. I fear, in this dark moment, that I am the sole cause of my lack of success in my vocation because of it. In MY mind, I have been trying so hard to just get through the days, always desiring more and thinking I am doing what I can, I’ve been exhausted, beat down, feeling betrayed by some very real things and bitter because of them. But isn’t it also true that more than anything I have felt trapped in lethargy, powerless to get myself out of the devil’s grip – I haven’t cried out to the Lord when I ought to have been in this area, and desperately. I was too blind to see that I even needed to.

    The shame (a word so loaded, but applicable here) that I feel is so great because I don’t even have the safety net to have acted in this way – I do not live an easy life. How subtle Satan allows it all to unfold, and how I stumbled along in his erroneous path. You can be cruising along, thinking you’re being productive, thinking you’re doing okay because you are still living out your faith despite your haze, albeit weakly, until a sucker punch to the gut makes you see – makes you truly see. Wait on the Lord, always – but also do your part.

    How I relate to God’s people who have grieved their running from Him – how I understand the call for the women to stip bare and put on their sackcloth in mourning. To return. I tremble as I consider – what will the future hold for me now? The mountain seems so great. Have I missed all my chances (some very big ones)? Will the Lord bless my recommitment and focus to what I know is my calling, the calling that I have so unknowingly neglected but should have known better than to have? I sense in my spirit a deep whisper, a gentle nudge reminding me that He is the God of redemption. That this is truly what He is in the business of, and what He desires to do on my behalf. Lord, please let it be so, even for me, a wayward sinner. May He have plans for me yet, and may I not be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

    1. Ann Chin. says:

      The lord is indeed a God of redemption, and his plans for you are still many. Nothing we do or don’t do, and no one can snatch us out of the father’s hand! He is our great shepherd, willing to leave the herd to find YOU!
      Also, your writing is simply lovely. You should write a book!

      1. TL says:

        What a blessing it was to read and receive your comment, Ann Chin! Amen and all praise and thanksgiving to our Good Father. Thank you incredibly for your encouragement and kind words. May our Lord richly bless you in every way.

  8. Amber Galleguillos says:

    I wanted to share this part of Isaiah: “till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit or righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” 32: 15-18 Reading these verses, my first thought was oh cool, I love when I read prophecy that has come to pass. Thinking this is about Jesus. And it is, but my study Bible points out this: In the present age, the blessings of redemption come to us through the Spirit, who has been poured out on believers. Yet this outpouring is only partial; we await and pray for the fullness of redemption and full outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the end of history. I think this is so awesome and it makes me smile. My thought was and our joy will be made complete!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *