Contributor: Odutola Ekundayo

INTRODUCTION
In our study last week, we were taught that only God is the sure refuge. One thing that is common with the examples we learnt last week was that all the people referred to were all doing the work of God. They trusted God even to the point where they said even if God would not deliver them, yet they will still trust HIM – they “abandoned” themselves to God under all and every circumstance of life that appeared to them. There are several ways God can send help from above, but this week we shall be studying how God can send help from above by watching and keeping us. As we continue in our study, may the Lord bless us in Jesus name.

1. GOD IS THE ONLY SURE GUIDE
Ps. 121:5a – The Lord is your keeper. When God guides, He surrounds His own with wall of fire, which will destroy all the weapons of the enemies. He will also lock the door against such enemies. Which implies that you don't need to fear anything.With God you are assured of your safety, what else can we as children of the Most High trust in if not God Almighty?
Ps. 125:2-3 says “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever...”.Wherever we are, at any time, God is our sure guide just as He has assured us in the above passage.
Zech. 2:5 – For I,’says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst’.

• God as Our Helper
Psalm 121:1-2 says “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”
Looking up to the mountains symbolizes something greater than an individual or human, and affirms that help comes from the Lord. It’s a reminder that while earthly resources may offer some relief, the ultimate source of help is God Himself, the Creator of all. In the moments of uncertainty or fear, one thing we can do is to remind ourselves that God, the Creator, is actively involved and able to bring resolution and peace. It is therefore wise, to develop a habit of turning to God first in times of need and at all times (Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus…).

• God’s Strength in Our Weakness
Someone may ask, but how about when my strength is failing or it has already failed, what is the next thing to do? 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Sometimes we may have “thorn in the flesh”, just like Apostle Paul, and how despite his prayers, God did not remove it. Instead, God provided him the strength to endure, assuring all Christians that divine strength often shines brightest when we are at our weakest point or moment. Recognizing that help from above doesn’t always mean immediate relief from trials, it confirms that God’s help is displayed when He strengthens us to endure and grow through difficulties. Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. When we are weak, that is when we should trust GOD with everything we are. Isaiah 26:4 says 'Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.')

• God’s Protection in Times of Trouble
When we are faced with a crisis, we have to remember that God is our refuge. We should therefore find time in His Word and in prayer to “rest” in this refuge, allowing His peace to renew our strength. Psalm 46:1-3 says “'God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling”
This reminds us that God is not only willing to help us in times of troubles, but also ever present to help in times of distress. With this in mind, we should be encouraged to completely trust in God, because He remains steadfast even when the world seems chaotic.

• God’s Provision for Our Needs
Philippians 4:19 says “'And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. This is an assurance to believers that God, who is rich in glory, will provide for all our needs. It is worthy to note that God’s provision goes beyond physical and material necessities, and reaches into areas of emotional, spiritual, and relational needs. Trusting in God’s provision, even when resources seem scarce. Reflect on times when God provided for you in unexpected ways, and let this strengthen your faith in His continued support. Ps. 56:4 says 'In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?'

2. OTHER GUIDES ARE IN VAIN
Some trust in chariot, some in horses, while others might put their trust in charms or evil covenants. But all these are vain; God is the only true guide. As parents or guardian, we expect our children/wards to trust us for their daily provisions, so also God said to all His children in Jeremiah 17:5-8 'Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit”.
The passage above spells out the consequences of trusting in flesh, and the abundant blessings of trusting in God;

• The Consequences of Seeking Help Outside God
God clearly emphasises on the consequences of His children trusting or seeking help outside Him. Isaiah 31:1-3 states that 'Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, and will not call back His words, but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together”.
He is a jealous God and does not want to share Himself with anyone in any way.We should also not forget that “unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”, (Psalms 127:1), and also remember that “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever”. (Psalms 125:1).

• God Cares for All Areas of Our Life
Ps. 20:6-8 'Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.',
God’s care extends deeply to our souls. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul writes, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." This aligns with Psalm 121:7, which promises that the Lord will keep us from all evil. While life presents challenges, the keeping hand of God ensures that no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Just as Jesus prayed in John 17:15, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one,"
We see that God’s protection encompasses both our daily battles and our eternal destiny.

• His Assurance
Jesus promises His disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Helper, will be with them, guiding, comforting, and reminding them of His teachings, John 14:26. This reassurance points to a personal and constant support system God provides for each believer.
As His children, we are expected to develop a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer, and pay attention to His guidance. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to understand God’s Word and apply it in our life.

Psalm 34:17-19 says that “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. ”
This psalm expresses that God hears and delivers His people when they call upon Him in faith. God’s help is not always immediate, but He is always attentive and involved, working for the good of those who love Him.We should then cultivate a habit of bringing our troubles to God in prayer, trusting that He hears and will act. Practice patience and faith, knowing that God’s timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed.

CONCLUSION
Finally, God’s guide is enduring, lasting from eternity to eternity. Psalm 121:8 confirms this promise, "The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore". Also on our part, Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in Him with all of our heart for Him to direct our paths, knowing He is watching. His care is not limited by time or circumstance. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:29-31 that even the sparrows are under God’s watchful eye, and we are worth much more to Him than many sparrows. This assurance of divine vigilance invites us to walk confidently, trusting that our Keeper never fails nor falters. Let us therefore hold fast to His promises and live in gratitude, knowing our help indeed comes from above. Amen.