It Is Nothing With Thee To Help

A Sermon Preached At Unicorn Yard Chapel, Tooley Street, Southwark, On Lord’s-day Evening, July 19, 1840, By The Rev. D. Denham.

“Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.”—2 Chron. 14:11

By all the operations of God—the application of his law to the conscience —the revelation of Christ in the Gospel—the work of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of his people-—and by all the mysteries of providence, the trials of faith and patience, the inward warfare, the combined efforts of Satan, and the persecuting spirit of the world in opposing the elect of God—we are taught experimentally our own insufficiency even to think or to do any thing good of ourselves.—(John 15:5. 2 Cor. 3:5.)

And all who are born again, and taught by the Holy Spirit their own helplessness, do cry from felt necessity, “Lord, help me,” (Mat. 15:35); “My strength faileth because of mine iniquity,” (Ps. 31:10); “We have no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee,” (2 Chron. 20:12); “Lord, it is nothing with thee to help,” &c. The testimony of the faithful through­out the Scriptures fully establish this fact: and every poor, weak, fearful child of God shall know that he hath laid help on one that his mighty, even “mighty to save,” (Ps. 89:19), Is. 63:l); “That he rideth upon the heaven in thy help,” (Deut. 33:26); “That he will send thee help from the sanctuary,” (Ps. 20); “That he giveth power to the faint,” (Is. 40) —when he seeth that their power is gone, (Deut. 32:36): for he saith “I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them; I will say it is my people; and they shall say, the Lord is my God, (Zec. 13:7); and with the apostle, “The Lord is my helper.” Heb. 13:6. Thus our text is made personal; and the feeble­ minded, and weakest in faith, are encouraged to say, “Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.”

In this portion we are instructed and encouraged in the exercise of faith, prayer, and reliance upon the power of God, in a season of great exposure and deep conflict.

O that the Lord, the Spirit of all grace and power, may rest upon us while we prayerfully consider,

I. The Circumstances referred to in the connexion.

II. The Conduct—“Asa cried unto the Lord his God.’’

III. His Confession of faith in the Lord’s power, “It is nothing with thee to help.”

IV. His Confidence and renewed cry, “We rest on thee,” &c.

I. The Circumstances recorded.

Asa was raised up of God to reign over his people, and he was greatly prospered in the destruction of idolatry and in restoring the worship of the Lord God of Israel; showing that where the heart is right in God’s service, his blessing shall sooner or later be manifestly seen, as recorded in verses, 6, 7, 8. This may instruct us in the Lord’s method of encouraging his people to seek him, and rest in him alone.

But when Asa had built his cities and strong fortifications, and increased his army, and for a season enjoyed rest from war: alas! how soon we read in the 9th verse, of the unexpected and sudden advance of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; as though God, by this very circumstance, would teach his people to the end of time not to live upon their gifts, but upon himself; and that present peace and prosperity are no guarantee against future adversity—as exemplified in the history of Job, and all the re­ generate followers of that cloud of witnesses referred to in the 11th chapter of the Hebrews.

Like Asa, we may be happy in soul-communion with God; enjoy, for a time, nearness to his throne; walk in the light of his countenance; appear to increase in knowledge, faith, humility, and love; until in some degree we resemble him in prosperity. And then, alas, how soon we have been, and still may be, surprised with a multitude, somewhat resembling the Ethiopean host coining up within us and without us; and the flesh with its corruptions, the world with its temptations, headed by Satan, threaten to overwhelm us.

This scene opens with surprise, alarms the weak in faith, spreads a gloom upon the mind, and awakens innumerable fears lest despair and destruction should follow: and all past experience seems nothing but delusion. Thus we experimentally learn the truth of Ps. 30:7, “Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled,”—and of Lamentations, 3:1, “He brought me into darkness,’* &c. From the circumstances we proceed,

II. To the conduct. “Asa cried unto the Lord his God.”

Mark that; he did not quarrel with the dispensation, or say, “God has cast me off;” he did not trust in his strong cities, or great army; oh, no I but, through divine influence, he cried unto the Lord his God.

This is the privilege of all God’s people, whatever may be their circumstances. “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee,” &c. (Ps. 50:15.) Are you under the first work of the Holy Spirit, in deep concern of soul, burdened with sin, charged with a debt you cannot pay, groaning under a wounded spirit, and shocked at the sight of thy deceitful, proud, and desperately wicked heart? Then surely you are a sinner ready to perish.

Out of these depths the psalmist cried—(Ps. 130:1); and so may you, for indeed it is no presumption to cry from a sense of need: “For whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered.” Joel 2:32.

Are you in darkness of mind, and without the light of evidence or enjoyment, having no light in the Scriptures or past experience; or are you favoured with some light in your spiritual estate, while surrounded with clouds and mysterious providences? (Job 22:3 10.) Still “the remedy is before thee;” cry unto the Lord, “Restore unto me the joys of thy salvation.” Ps. 51:12.

Are you mourning the want of access to God in prayer? He that came to you at first, and freely communicated life, light, and the spirit of grace un­ sought, is the same to come as the latter rain in the renewings of the Holy Ghost. Oh, fall at his feet; sigh and groan out your complaint; tell the dear Lord his absence is hell to you; remember the Church went out inquiring of the watchman for her beloved, when she could not find him at home: and it was but “a little that she passed from them, but she found him whom her soul loved.” And so shall you, for he will “see you again, and your joy shall no man take from you.”

Are you burdened with fresh guilt, and clothed with shame and heart-sorrow for your manifold backslidings? Oh! it is “an evil and a bitter thing to sin against God.” Oh! how it dishonours his name, and furnishes Satan with weapons against ourselves; yet cry unto the Lord in his own words, and say, “Take away all iniquity.” Hos. 14:1,4. He will purge your heart from an evil conscience, by a fresh application of Jesu’s blood, which still cleanseth from all sin.

“And if guilt removed return and remain, 

Its power may be proved again and again.”

Are you exercised with afflictions? your heavenly Father hath appointed them as tokens of your adoption. Heb. 12:7. Are you tempted? so was Jesus, that he might know how to succour you. Are you persecuted for righteousness sake? Jesus has pronounced you blessed. Does Satan suggest all manner of evil; tempt you even to blaspheme the Almighty; and stir up the vile and hateful abominations of your heart? Reason not with the foe, but cry to your best friend—yes, cry, Blood! blood! The blood of Jesus conquered sin, Satan, and death upon the Cross. And we read, “The noble army of martyrs overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Rev 12:11. And this blood alone can cleanse from sin, and quench the fiery darts of the wicked—

“A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.”

In all these circumstances there is no help but in the Lord; and that we may prize it, he will bring us from necessity to cry to him. He is a sovereign: fret not thyself against his servants or his providences. He will wean you from all creature dependance, that you may trust in him alone. You may purpose many changes, and try them ; and for a season say, “Surely now I shall be at rest, and find comfort but if you were to hear all the ministers of Christ, or change your residence every month, unless all is right between God and the soul, and you are living by faith in simple dependance upon him—in a secret, close, and humble walk, crying to him for the help you need against your adversaries, and prove his strength made perfect in your weakness—your changes will prove like those of Naomi, who left Bethlehem in the famine for plenty in Moab; but the result was bitterness in the extreme. Oh I then, may we have grace to follow the example of Asa, who “cried unto the Lord and as Moses, by crying to the Lord, prevailed against Amelek; and as Samuel overcame the Philistines; and as Paul intreated the saints at Ephesus to pray for him, that he might open his mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, (Eph. 6:19); how much more is it needful in these days of general profession, when the pulpit and the press are mediums employed to disseminate Infidelity, blasphemy, Popery, and a mutilated Gospel, which neither humbles man nor honours God; when in one year upwards of seventy Churches have agreed to erase from their asso­ciation latter [See “Circular Letter from the Midland Association, assembled at Willenhall, May 22 and 23, 1839”], the important doctrines of three equal persons in the God-head—eternal and personal election—original sin—particular redemption—free justification by the righteousness of Christ imputed—efficacious grace in regeneration—the final perseverance of the saints—the resurrection of the dead—the general judgment at the last day—and the life everlasting.” Surely truth is fallen in our streets; the faithful fail from among men; the true ambassadors of peace weep bitterly; the bread of the soul is not brought into the house of the Lord; and his children cry from a famine of his word. Yea, the time is come when men will not endure sound doctrine, &c. With the enemies of vital godliness there is a system—unity and co-operation; but, alas! among those who profess to know and preach the good old way, and who glory in the cross of Christ, there is evidently a great want of proper feeling, and more zeal in contending about things comparatively indifferent, than the essential and foundation truths of the Gospel, without an experience of which no man can be saved.

Then let the faithful in all our churches individually and unitedly cry unto the Lord, that his ministers may be more decided in his cause, and so united in Christian love, that they may be induced to form associations throughout the kingdom, for the strengthening each others’ hands—confirming the churches in those pure and sacred doctrines which so many have rejected: and thus by communion, as brethren and servants of Christ; by the merit of his blood and righteousness; and by the unction of God the Holy Spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind, they may be instrumental of much good, and be thus qualified more efficiently to cry unto the Lord to instruct, feed, establish, and advance the spiritual estate of those committed to their charge. Let the people also cry unto the Lord for the root of the matter—for a spiritual appetite—a deep sense of need; and while they make use of ordinances, and means of grace, yet in attending upon that ministry which is most blest to their souls, may they cease from all confidence in men and means, and cry to the Lord for the seal of the Spirit of adoption, that their faith may not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. This leads us, 

III. To the confession of Asa, “It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.”

The battle was set in array, array against army. Though there appeared no comparison between the smallness of Asa’s number and the greatness of his opponent’s, yet Asa went forth crying to the Lord, and confessing his faith in his Almighty power, saying, “It is nothing for thee to help,” &c. Oh, what a striking figure is this of the Church and the world, and the two armies in every believer—the army of grace and the army of sin. Faith going forth in cries against unbelief—love against enmity—light against darkness—spirituality against carnality—hope against despair—meekness against rebellion, &c. Asa went out crying unto the Lord; not counting his men, not boasting of their military tactics or former victories, not pleading his zeal for the Lord, but in the exercise of faith, saying, “It is nothing with thee to help, whether by many, or them that have no power.” Surely this was trusting in the Lord of Hosts. Oh, for grace to follow his example!

Our weakness is no argument against us; it is supposed strength that is our stone of stumbling, for the Lord always comes to the help of the feeble. “He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength, therefore no weakness in judgment—in faith or confidence, shall hinder the saint’s victory, for it is “nothing with the Lord to help,” &c.

Were the men of Asa comparatively few? There has never been too few for God, but he has often deferred the victory because the people have been too many. Gideon’s two-and-thirty thousand were reduced to three hundred men, on account of their being so numerous. When building the walls of Jerusalem the enemies of Israel reproached them, as being few and feeble, but not too few for God. And when Jesus sent out his disciples, with all the world against them, he said, “Fear not, little flock!” Therefore weakness and smallness of number are no argument against us; but, on the contrary, the faithful are encouraged to go out against all their implacable and innumerable enemies, confessing, “It is nothing with the Lord to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.”

Did Asa go out against the huge host of Ethiopians, crying unto the Lord? So may we go out against sin and Satan, and engage every foe upon our knees, in God’s strength, God’s sufficiency, and with God’s sanction. Thus our perseverance, our supplies in providence, our success in the ministry, and our personal and eternal salvation, solely depend upon the great Jehovah. Salvation is of the Lord! Human instrumentality is nothing without him. Man, at best, is but a worm, and Christ is all! The cries of Israel prevailed over the Egyptians. Hezekiah’s prayer brought down destruction upon the Assyrian host. David, by faith and prayer, conquered Goliah; and thus shall all God’s beloved people triumph over their enemies, for if the wrestling prayer of faith in Jacob prevailed with God himself, how much more shall the God of Jacob prevail over his enemies? This is the certain path to victory, and the crown of life and righteousness that fadeth not away.

O how easy it is for God to do his pleasure, both in judgment and in mercy; and how visible is the hand that discriminates between his friends and his foes, as instanced at the deluge—the preservation of Lot in Zoar—the drowning of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea—the earth’s swallowing up of Corah and his company, with various other facts recorded in the Scriptures. And who that is taught of God can reflect upon his own weakness, and not see the truth of our text, “It is nothing for the Lord to help by many, or with them that have no power?” Surely, we have had no more to do in our conversion and salvation, than with the formation of the heavens and the earth—the whole being effected by God’s unaided power; and yet how perfectly and gloriously has lie accomplished our salvation for us, and his work of new creation within us. God the Father, in his everlasting love and covenant, laid help upon, and gave us grace in Christ Jesus, in whom he chose, blest, and predestinated all his people to grace and glory. God the Son, according to his covenant engagements, in the fulness of time was manifest in the flesh, that, by his obedience to the law, he might help us from its curse; by his atonement, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession, he might help us from all the evils of the fall to all the blessings of eternal life. And, when we were wholly without help, in our sin, and dead to God, then, in the freeness and all-sufficiency of grace, God the Holy Ghost helped us to spiritual life. He terminated the reign of sin, and commenced the reign of grace, by his own creating power and indwelling presence; and, in a word, he has helped us to all that is experimentally known of a tender conscience—a broken heart—the fear of God—a spirit of prayer—living faith—good hope—love—joy—peace jealousy for God’s honour—a dread of deceiving, or of being deceived. He helps us by sustaining grace in our daily warfare, and to a spiritual taste and discernment in all things connected with God’s glory, and the soul’s personal salvation. O blessed help! And, in addition, how large a volume might be written upon the personal, domestic, and providential helps which we have re­ ceived from the Lord, even when there nas been no door opened—no friend to minister to our necessities—no apparent way of escape; and yet how fully have we proved, “that it is nothing with thee, O Lord, to help,” &c. O for help to trust, triumph, and praise thee more and more! This leads us to notice

IV. His Confidence.

“Help us, O Lord our God: for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.” Blessed knowledge and appropriation.

1st. Observe, all his trust and expectation were in God. “O God!” Here was no refuge of lies, or mere arm of flesh; but God, the God of promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God in covenant; the God of salvation; and the God that had many times given victory to his people, and who alone could give it again; God, who is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble. And happy are they who can say in faith, “This God is our God, for ever and ever.”

2nd. Observe he said, our God; this was faith’s appropriation. Not an unknown God, or the God of others only; but our God, relatively by the witness of the spirit of adoption—our God, immutably in his own love and un­ alterable purposes—our God, evidentially by his presence, indwelling Spirit, and the reign of his all-abounding grace—our God sovereignly, who hath formed his people for himself, separated them from all people upon the earth, and distinguished them as a peculiar people, in whom he will be glorified, and whose chief peculiarity lies in their union, relationship, appointment, and tide to the kingdom of heaven; and being led by the Holy Spirit to worship God in his Trinity of Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who are distinctly revealed by their names, relations, and acts for the Church, by the revelation of the Holy Ghost in the Scriptures, and in our own hearts. This blessed, incomprehensible, and Triune God is manifestly our God, by communicating life, light, and love, from himself, and by drawing us in the exercise of faith, prayer, praise, and adoration to him, and to receive of his fulness grace for grace. So he becomes increasingly known, endeared, and magnified as our own God, for ever and ever.

“I fall beneath his footstool now, 

And worship him alone:

Before no other God I bow,

But the great Three in One.”

3rd. Observe, he said “Help us, O Lord.” This was expressive of their weakness; but O what an occasion it gave of showing forth the omnipotence of God, employed in protecting, fighting for his people, and utterly defeating their numerous and powerful foes; and thus our weakness is overruled by the Lord, who sanctifies all our manifold afflictions, and thereby furnishes us with fresh matter for prayer, which brings down renewed tokens of present help, and this leads us back to God again in songs of praise. Therefore, happy in­ deed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help.

4th. Observe, he said, “We rest on thee.” Not in the least upon themselves, but wholly upon thee, thy promises, thy truth, thy faithfulness, thy unchanging love, and thy all-sufficiency. Sure rest, indeed! The solid rock and refuge of unnumbered millions. It mattered not how few and weak they were, or how many and powerful the opposing host; oh, no! Asa, and those with him, were resting upon the Lord; say, my heart, Is this thy rest? How long hast thou been resting here? Did ever this rest fail thee during all thy past years of sore conflict? O, it is blessed to retrace our steps; to go back to the first work—conviction, sorrow, and season of soul distress; and also to review all the way of the Lord’s leadings in providence and grace. And this is the conclusion—“it is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,” but, “having obtained help of him, we continue to this day,” witnessing to his honour, that “not one thing hath failed of all that he has promised.”

5th. Observe, he said, “In thy name we go against this multitude.” Mark that! In thy name—thy authority—thy honour—thy majesty, we take thy name for our shield, buckler, sword, high tower, and whole armour, to fit us for the fight. This was putting on the great Jehovah by faith, and making use of his attributes, his wisdom, unwearied arm, and unconquerable might. By this great act of faith, Asa, and those with him, were manifestly under the shadow of the Almighty; the glory of his name was at stake, and the victory was insured to them before the battle commenced, by the name in which it was to be fought. O, then, beware of engaging with your enemies in any other name. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower,” and they that “know his name will put their trust in him.”

6th. Observe, he said, “Let not man prevail against thee.” Mark! It is, against thee. This is the position of Satan, and all under his Influence travaileth with iniquity, hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood; and in the armour of unrighteousness they are fighting against God. But Asa cried to the Lord, putting himself and his army under Divine, command; and then, with the Lord for their captain, and encompassed with Deity, he stood as behind an impregnable fort—in the stronghold of Omnipotence. Sustained by everlasting arms, and overshadowed with the heavenly Majesty of God—the God of Israel, he said, “Let not man prevail against thee.” Oh, no—none ever did, or ever shall prevail against the Lord. Fight on then, O believer—the issue is not doubtful; for, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” God must be conquered before one of his children can be lost; the battle is the Lord’s. Jesus fought, and returned from the conflict mighty to save; and all who rely alone upon him shall finally prevail, and shout victory at last. O yes—

“We shall be conquerors all e’er long, 

And more than conquerors too.”

In conclusion—1st. Observe in the commencement of this subject, Asa called upon the Lord. This was an evidence of spiritual life in him, and a sense of need, which no unregenerate person can feel, being dead in trespasses and in sins—in enmity, rebellion, and rejection of God and his government; and whatever morality, forms of prayers, acts of natural religion, or even a profession of the most pure Gospel doctrines, unless there is spiritual life in the soul, and real humming of heart, and contrition for sin before God, living and dying in that state, you will be found fighting against him, and be cast out in the armour of unrighteousness.

2nd. This subject shows us that God’s people have, in all ages of the world, had many enemies to contend with.

3rd. Here is a bright example of faith. Asa cried unto the Lord his God, who heard and delivered him; and his ears are open to the most feeble, broken cry of any poor soul, who, from a sense of need, is helped to pour out their hearts and desires to him.

4th. God is immutably the same; and it is nothing with him to help, &c.

Finally, the Lord gave the victory to his people over the Ethiopians, whose great host was destroyed, in answer to prayer; and, as the glory of this victory was the Lord’s, while his people shared in the pleasure and spoils, so shall all the saints, who “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places,” finally triumph over their secret and open enemies. And the glory, the whole glory is thine, O Lord God of Israel: and in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.