The Lord of the Rings allegorical fantasy trilogy by Tolkien chronicles the war to overcome the hold that Sauron, the evil lord has over the nations.

City after city face Sauron’s armies. And in the midst of their sieges, the watchmen on the walls, anxiously scan the horizon for help from supporting allies.

The turning point in each battle, is that moment when the allies arrive. The enemy is sandwiched between the fresh army and the defenders of the city, and is soon overcome.

During the siege of Jerusalem, the watchmen stood at their posts, and looked in vain for help to arrive from Egypt. [Ezk 29:6-7]

Can you imagine, each day you rise with hope thinking that today help will arrive… only it never does…

I’m sure all of us have been in situations where we trusted people to help us out in tight situations, only to hear them make excuses … or worse – they give extravagant assurances, but never make good on them…

But, as I thought about this, suddenly a familiar verse made sense to me…
🤝🏽 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; …
[Is 41:10]

dismayed = shâ‛âh = to look around, to inspect

The NASB translation is most accurate here:
🤝🏽 Do not fear, for I am with you;
🤝🏽 Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
🤝🏽 I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
🤝🏽 Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Judah looked anxiously about her in vain for help to arrive from Egypt. Egypt had given a false/unrighteous hand of friendship to Judah.

🤝🏽 We don’t have to look anxiously for help to arrive. We are Jesus Sandwiches – we are in Christ, and He is in us – He is ALWAYS with us, as we abide in His love.

🤝🏽 God IS truth & love. He never makes false promises, and in His love, He fulfills every single promise He makes to us.

🤝🏽He WILL strengthen us
🤝🏽He WILL help us
🤝🏽He WILL hold us so we don’t fall prey to satan, with His righteous right hand… 🤝🏽His hand of friendship held out to us is true & faithful.
🤝🏽His right hand, is the hand of His power.

As history shows, Egypt not only didn’t turn up to help Judah, but Egypt couldn’t stand up against Babylon. Egypt itself was defeated.

✝️By His life, Jesus won a resounding victory over every attempt satan made to tempt Him to sin and act independent of God. Jesus didn’t succumb to temptation, and so now, He CAN help us to win the victory over sin.

✝️By His death & resurrection, Jesus showed that He has ALL authority & power over death itself… and so He CAN & WILL help us win the ultimate victory over death itself.

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our unfailing, undefeated Champion, Helper, Comforter – our All-in-All. Help us to forgive those who let us down. Help us to be faithful friends to others, as You are faithful to us. In Jesus Name. Amen.

AD