“O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.” – Isaiah 33:2 

Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

God’s faithful promises result in the prayer of faith. We must pray earnestly at the “throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Our enemies are cruel, be gracious to us, O Lord! We deserve God’s wrath for our sins, but we pray, “Remember David’s Son!” And we remember Christ’s propitiation for our sins; God’s wrath is turned away from us and we are blessed in His gracious favour.

God is always with us with His arm of strength and power. Is your trust in the Lord each morning and each day? If you are depending on your strength, your abilities, your past accomplishments, your intelligence, or your reputation, you are not glorifying God.

Are we not also in “the time of trouble”? We need salvation! Jesus Christ is the Saviour, who laid down His life for us as the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. Yet, the troubling warfare in our hearts continues as we put to death our sins in the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God, we have such a Great High Priest; He knows all our weaknesses and sympathizes with them. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ who has “passed through the heavens”! (Hebrews 4:14).

This is why we confess our faith on the basis of God’s promises. We believe what God has done through Jesus Christ and continues to do through Him. Jesus Christ is our arm and salvation!

Suggestions for prayer

Confess your dependence on God’s strong arm of salvation, your need for help in your troubles and ask for God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.