God Has Come to Help His People

August 13, 2025

Many years ago, as part of one of my doctoral projects, my wife and I committed ourselves to live by a “rule of life,” intentionally practicing seven spiritual disciplines over the course of ten weeks. One of those disciplines was Lectio Divina—“divine reading”—an ancient practice of prayerfully engaging Scripture.

We began this discipline in the midst of what felt like a whirlwind. We were packing our home to move to a new community and congregation, transitioning into a house we had just purchased—our first after seventeen years of living in parsonages. Our son had recently graduated and was away for several weeks visiting a friend, giving us an unexpected taste of the “empty nest,” a stage of life we were not ready to embrace.

On top of that, I was juggling my doctoral project, facing a $7,000 shortfall for our son’s upcoming college tuition, managing the financial strain of moving and homeownership, and working to transition my current churches in Rock Hall to a new pastor while also beginning meetings with leaders at my new congregation in Rising Sun. At times, the sheer length of our to-do list left us sitting in place, paralyzed by the weight of it all.

And yet, in the middle of these competing demands, we chose to pause. We sat down together to pray and practice Lectio Divina. The lectionary passage that day was Luke 7:11–17.

In the story, Jesus, entering a town, encounters a grieving widow in a funeral procession for her only son. Moved with compassion, He speaks: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sits up, and Jesus returns him to his mother. Amazed, the people praise God, saying, “God has come to help his people.” The news spreads throughout Judea.

Before reading, we prayed that God would speak into our situation—that His Word would meet our needs, fears, and burdens. We read the passage aloud three times, pausing after each reading to sit in silence, listening for what God might impress upon our hearts. After the third reading, we shared what stood out.

For both of us, the same phrase leapt from the page: “God has come to help his people.”

In the midst of our stress, transitions, and uncertainty, this unshakable truth remained: God has come to help His people. We are His people. You, reading this now, are His people. And because of that, we need not fear.

Another phrase struck me deeply: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” In that moment, I sensed God speaking directly to me: Stop wallowing in worry. Stop fretting over tomorrow. Stop letting the weight of responsibilities crush you. Get up. Not in your own strength, but in the assurance that God has come to help His people. God has come to help you.

“Get up” and face the tasks before you, yes—but also “get up” in prayer. Lift your eyes to the One who will help, provide, and, if necessary, carry you.

My wife and I prayed that day for the strength to “get up,” for the faith to remember that God is alive, present, and ready to meet us in our need. We asked for His Spirit to help us trust Him fully, and we gave thanks that His Word still speaks to our lives so directly.

In that moment, the words of Frederick Littledale’s hymn became our prayer:

Come down, O Love divine,

Seek Thou this soul of mine,

And visit it with Thine own ardour glowing;

O Comforter, draw near,

Within my heart appear,

And kindle it,

Thy holy flame bestowing.

Indeed, “God has come to help his people.”

Spend time in His Word. Sit quietly in prayer. Let His truth speak over your situation, whatever it may be. You will discover the same reality we did:

God has come to help His people.

What a privilege. What a blessing. What great comfort.

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What is Lectio Divina?

Lectio Divina (Latin for “divine reading”) is an ancient Christian practice of prayerfully engaging with Scripture to hear God’s voice and be transformed by His Word.

Traditionally, it follows four movements:

1. Lectio (Read) – Slowly read a passage of Scripture, listening for words or phrases that stand out.

   
   

2. Meditatio (Meditate) – Reflect on what those words mean, letting them sink into your heart and mind.

   
   

3. Oratio (Pray) – Respond to God in prayer about what you’ve heard, bringing Him your thoughts, questions, and needs.

   
   

4. Contemplatio (Contemplate) – Rest silently in God’s presence, allowing His Spirit to speak and shape you.

   
   

It’s not about academic study or rushing through verses, but about listening deeply—inviting the Holy Spirit to use God’s Word to guide, comfort, and transform your life.