Articles
Helps Along the Way
An incident from Paul’s life illustrates how we often benefit from the help others give us—and especially from what the Lord does for us.
Referring to his vision of Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul says, “But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus” (Acts 22:11 NASB).
Imagine how difficult it would have been for Saul to grope his way into the city without some human assistance. He accepted help because he had no choice.
Three days later Ananias told him, “Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (22:16). And so he did.
In his baptism he depended on both the human agent, Ananias, who baptized him, but primarily on the Lord who cleansed him. How could he have found the way to salvation on his own? How can we? We are saved by grace. Without God’s mercy we would have no hope....... We continue to receive help from others as long as we live. Paul’s life was saved on more than one occasion by his Christian friends (Acts 9:23-25; Romans 16:3-4). Others helped him by their prayers and by providing food, lodging, financial support, etc. Romans 15:30-32; Acts 16:14-15, 34; 24:23; 27:3; Romans 15:24; 16:1-2; Philippians 4:10-18; 2 Timothy 1:16-17; Philemon 22).
But above all, Paul learned to depend on the Lord to sustain and protect him all along the way (2 Corinthians 1:8-10). Even when his brethren let him down, he knew he could always count on the Lord (2 Timothy 4:16-18).
Thank God for all the helps we receive along the way!
