I’m sure we all go through seasons where we just feel life is just so…hard.  When you have times like that, where do you go?  What do you do?  Who do you text?  How do you handle those emotions?  

I came across a verse in Psalms this morning that really impacted me as it addressed how the Psalmist handled times like that.  Check this out.  

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, 
who made heaven and earth” 
~~Psalm 124:8~~

The first thing I noticed in this short verse is that the psalmist didn’t say “my” help; he said “our” help.  The word “our” speaks not only of the psalmist’s personal relationship with God, but also of his relationship with God’s people – community!  He’s reminding us that we were not meant to do life as a lone-ranger.  We need one another for support and encouragement.  

The second thing I was struck by were the facets of the word “help” (ʿēzer) in the Hebrew language.  Three words were used.  Aid (to provide with what is useful or necessary in achieving an end).  Succor (something that furnishes relief).  Help (to make more pleasant or bearable–the act or an instance of doing or supplying something to make it easier for another to complete a task, deal with a problem, etc.–the source of relief).  Our God is our Source, supplying what is necessary to learn what needs learning through our hardship – to comfort us with His Presence so that, while the circumstance may not immediately change, it becomes bearable.  

The third thing that impacted me was found in the phrase “in the name of the Lord”.  In the Hebrew language, when the phrase “in the name of” was used, it didn’t just describe what a person was called, but rather stood for the authority and character of a person.  That means that “help” goes beyond what God does; it describes who God is.  

Lastly, as if the character of God needed any boosting (haha), the psalmist reminded us of the magnitude and power of who God is.  He made heaven and earth – out of nothing – just by speaking it into existence.  So when we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life, we can lean into this verse and know that “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth”!!!  

It’s in the character of God to help His children, and there’s nothing too hard for Him.  He’s the God who can make something out of nothing!