It takes spiritual discipline to consider Jesus. To be mindful of Him at all times is a practice of presence. However, human nature finds us much like the psalmist expresses in Psalm 107, 'they cried to Him in their troubles (again and again.) He delivered them from their distresses because of His steadfast love.’ This passage reminds us that God’s deliverance comes because of HIS faithfulness and steadfast love.
We find the one who is a very present help in time of need. I like the phrase, very present help, meaning help that is right here, right now. The fact that we may not perceive it does not invalidate the truth of this declaration.
What we find throughout the Old Testament examples is its full and eternal work established in Christ Jesus. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, ever living to make intercession on behalf of those who come to God.
Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 NIV
We have Jesus, our high priest, who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. We find grace to help in the time of our need at the Throne of Grace, Hebrews 4:16.
Hebrews, chapter two declares some of the greatest truths about the redemptive work and deliverance He has provided us.
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might test death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by who all things exist in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering…. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help though who are being tempted. Verses 9-10;18.
In our times of trouble, we are encouraged to consider Jesus, this Son of Man, touched by the feeling of our infirmities. Because He himself has suffered when tempted, he is not only able but willing, as we see from the other verses above. His very purpose was to destroy the works of the devil and bring us back into this wonderful relationship with God as our Father.
The Bible tells us Jesus “learned obedience from the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8), and as the source of eternal salvation, He faithfully completed God's plan of redemption. We learn and grow as we consider and obey Jesus in the midst of trouble. There is a what must I obey in this moment that leads me into life. If Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered, there is something in our troubles that we are to learn. I submit to you it is simply the discipline to do the things we know we are to do, i.e., consider it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds because you know….James 1:2-4 it is a growth opportunity that develops character as we learn obedience by the things we suffer.
Jesus encouraged his disciples in John’s gospel ~ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Mindful that there is no temptation taken us that is not common to man, including Jesus ~ But God is Faithful who will, with the temptation, make a way of escape that we may bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13
He is our very present help in time of need.