A Present Help – God Fights for Us
Isaiah was given a word of prophecy from the Sovereign God about the liberty that comes through the Messiah. That promise was fulfilled when Jesus appeared to defeat sin and satan. After Jesus had been baptized by John in the Jordan River, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. After defeating the devil in every temptation, Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. News about Him spread as He went through Galilee teaching in their synagogues. As Jesus went, many people were delivered from the power of the adversary and many were healed. As was His custom, Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. When He was handed the scroll, He opened the book to this text in Isaiah. He stopped reading just before the words of our text.
Isaiah 61:1-2 NKJV “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God…”
The prophecy is showing us that the Lord is a present help and that God fights for us.
This Messianic prophecy addresses the message of the Gospel of Christ and every area of our need. The prophecy said the Christ would come to comfort the brokenhearted, release captives, free prisoners, and announce the day of God’s favor. He would come to console those who mourn and give them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy. He would give the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness and establish them so they may be called oaks of righteousness. We love to hear that message of God’s grace and mercy that comes down to us through Christ. At the same time Jesus came to minister to those in need, He also came to take vengeance against God’s enemies. That word “vengeance” (nā-qām) refers to God’s retribution and anger against His enemies. You need to know that the Lord God almighty hates sin and iniquity. It is noteworthy that God offers grace, mercy and favor to all who will receive it, but God will take vengeance on His enemies. In holy anger, God will take vengeance on His enemies.
Throughout the history of man, God has shown Himself to be Mighty to save and deliver.
Watch how He came to the defense of those who trusted in Him. As a result of God’s intervention, His people learned to depend on His strength and help in the times of trouble. The Lord of Hosts is mighty to save. He has thousands upon thousands and tens of thousands of angels who form His mighty armies. He saves from the power of the destroyer and from the enemy that comes against God’s people. The almighty God is greater and mightier than the enemies that attempt to conquer and destroy. He saves from the devouring plague, pestilence and takes vengeance on the enemy who tries to steal, kill and destroy. When God comes to our aid, He gives rest to those who belong to Him.
Listen to the words King David said to His son Solomon and to the leaders of Israel.
1 Chronicles 22:17 NKJV “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side?”
1 Chronicles 22:18-19 NKJV “For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God.”
David was reminding God’s people that the Lord God Almighty fights for them. He had a personal testimony of what God did for him.
Psalm 118:6 NKJV The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Since David knew that the Lord was his help, strength, defense and shield, he could encourage others to trust in the Lord.
Psalm 62:8 NKJV Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
You need to know that God will fight for you.
God is a refuge and strength to His people. You do not have to fear when the strong enemies come against you and when events of life are difficult. The Lord of Hosts is present to help you. Hebrews 6:18 tells us, ‘God has not lied, we have this strong consolation and encouragement that we can run to the Lord for refuge and hope.’
Psalm 124:1-2 NIV84 If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us,
Psalm 124:3-5 NIV84 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.
Psalm 124:8 NKJV Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
This strong message reverberates throughout the Old Testament. Our help is in the name of the Lord. God wants you to know that He is a very present help in times of trouble and He is ready to fight for you. He is your defense and strong tower in times of trouble. He will take vengeance on the enemy of your body and soul. Even before they faced their enemies in the land, the Lord gave this powerful word to His people.
Deuteronomy 11:25 NKJV No man shall be able to stand against you; the Lord your God will put the dread of you and the fear of you upon all the land where you tread, just as He has said to you.
God will fight for us.
Elisha knew what this was like.
The servant of the man of God arose early one morning and found an army of horses and chariots surrounding the city. The king of Syria had come in force and great numbers to destroy Israel. Elisha’s servant asked, “What shall we do?” When you feel overwhelmed by those things that arise against you, remember these words. Elisha told his servant, “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are against us,” (2 Kings 6:16). How can we know this?
Romans 8:31 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
God wants those who put their faith and trust in Him to have this strong assurance that all of their battles and enemies will be met with the irresistible power of the Spirit of God.
Isaiah 59:19 NKJV When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
The Lord our God Who is a present help will fight for us.
The Lord of Host is coming to your aid. Thousands upon thousands and tens of thousands of angels respond to His command. He is our Redeemer and Savior. Satan’s power and sin’s dominion are broken. He is the Healer of our bodies. The greatest power of sickness has been defeated and by His stripes you are healed. You don’t fight these battles alone. He is the Almighty God and the Great I AM. He is mighty to save, heal and deliver. He will save you from destruction. He is ready to fight for you.
We need to see the vision that Isaiah prophesied.
The Lord of Hosts is coming to your aid like a rushing stream driven on by the wind of God. The power of the Holy Spirit is lifting up the Standard of Jesus Christ to fight for you.
Whenever the enemy comes in, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up this Standard.
The Standard is the name of the Lord. The Standard is the blood of Jesus Christ. The Standard is the power of Christ to save, deliver, and keep. The Standard comes to your aid with the full power of the Holy Spirit. Get this image of His power to save in your mind and spirit. The Lord God Almighty will fight for you. Don’t magnify the enemy when he comes against you because he is defeated. Magnify the Lord and exalt His name forever. He is coming to your aid. He will drive back the strongest forces of hell. None of the gates of hell shall be able to stand against you. He will come to fight your greatest battles. In Jesus’ name command the enemy to flee. By the power of the blood of Jesus stand firm in faith and victory. Through the power of the Spirit arise to new victory.
Psalm 24:7-8 NKJV Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
Psalm 24:9-10 NKJV Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
The Captain of all of the angelic armies is the Lord of Hosts and Jesus is His name. I have come to tell you that the Lord of Hosts is coming to fight for you. The enemy that has come to destroy you is going to be destroyed. The day of the vengeance of our God and the acceptable year of the Lord has come. Every stronghold of darkness will be broken down. Lift up your heads and rejoice for the King of glory is coming with victory. Your battle is going to be won.
