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The Lord is My Helper

Hebrews 13:6, So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will
not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

It was a beautiful spring day, flowers blooming, birds singing, and a
gentle breeze blew as I cleaned weeds from flowerbeds. Humming a tune, and
making mental notes of 'to dos,' I paused to watch a purple martin
effortlessly soar above me before landing to feed her young.  Little did I know that
a storm was on the horizon.

Time passed quickly, as is usually the case when I am enjoying myself,
I decided to stop for the day. I headed back to my office. An email
caught my attention, and I smiled in anticipation. Much to my surprise, this was
not a friendly email, nor was it a joke. Reading the words, I must have
looked as if in total shock. Trying desperately to hold back the tears, they
flowed uncontrollably.

Searching for answers as to why someone I cared so deeply for would
write such a thing, I reached out to God asking him to reveal anything I may
have said or done. Heaven was silent. Suddenly the birds quit singing and a
dark cloud imposed itself over me as I sat in disbelief.

Remembering the many times Christ had endured harsh treatment, I
realized that although we may be innocent of any wrongdoing, there are still
times that we will suffer persecution for our faith. This was one of those
times.

God gently revealed through his Word that I must hate the sin and love
the sinner. The best way I could do that was by praying for them, and pray,
I did.

Colossians 2:13 reminded me that I too had been dead in my sins and was
forgiven. 'When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of
your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our
sins.

I chose at that moment to forgive and pray for my friend. One week
passed, I continued to pray, then two, I praised God for hearing my prayers,
and thanking him that the answer was on the way. I knew without a doubt
that he would take that which Satan intended for evil and turn it to good.

Several days later, the phone rang. It was my friend. God reconciled
our friendship, and taught me a valuable lesson. The Lord is always my
constant help in times of trouble. I can lean on and trust his wisdom. He is a
friend like none other, and he's always faithful and true to his Word.


Copyright 2004 by Marie Williams