Originally posted: 4/26/2020

…And the Lord helped David wherever he went, (18:6, 13).

This exact phrase, “the Lord helped David wherever he went,” highlights the growing strength of David’s kingdom and is repeated twice in just seventeen verses. And we know, when God repeats Himself… well, it’s a good time to keep an eye out for what He may have in store.

…And the Lord helped David wherever he went, (18:6, 13).

That’s a sweeping commentary, wherever he went…

Other versions translate this verse as the LORD “gave victory; made victorious; preserved” David. But every translation affirms this reality: it happened “wherever he went.”

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Wherever: “3605. כֹּל kōl: A particle meaning each, every, all, everything, the whole, entire. It has an inclusive meaning of all or every one of something,”

And I had to pause. Wherever? That would include whatever the circumstance; whenever it occurred; whoever he encountered; however he was feeling; wherever he found himself.

The word used to depict the Lord’s Help is used in a variety of ways throughout Scripture.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
Helped; Gave Victory; Made Victorious; Preserved: “3467. יָשַׁע yāšaʿ: A verb meaning to save, to help, to deliver, to defend. The underlying idea of this verb is bringing to a place of safety or broad pasture as opposed to a narrow strait, symbolic of distress and danger. The word conveys the notion of deliverance from tribulation… deliverance from certain death… rescue from one’s enemies… victory in time of war… protective duty of a shepherd… avenging wrongs… compassionate aid in a time of need… the salvation that only comes from God” [emphasis added].

That is All-Inclusive Help! Whatever the circumstance; whenever it occurred; whoever he encountered; however he was feeling; wherever he found himself, “the Lord helped David.”

And throughout the Scriptures, prophesied in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, Jesus Christ came as the perfect fulfillment of His All-Inclusive Help.

Consider His All-Inclusive Help

• His All-Inclusive Help: “a place of safety or broad pasture”
  • He brought me forth also into a broad place;
    He rescued me, because He delighted in me, (Psalm 18:19).
  • “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10).

• His All-Inclusive Help: “deliverance from tribulation”
  • “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book,” (Daniel 12:1 ESV).
  • “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also,” (John 14:1-3).

• His All-Inclusive Help: “deliverance from certain death”
  • He will swallow up death for all time,
    And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,
    And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;
    For the Lord has spoken, (Isaiah 25:8).
  • but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, (2 Timothy 1:10).

•  His All-Inclusive Help: “rescue from one’s enemies”
  • He delivers me from my enemies;
    Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me;
    You rescue me from the violent man, (Psalm 18:48).
  • For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, (Colossians 1:13-14).

• His All-Inclusive Help: “victory in time of war”
  • “…Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, ⁴ for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you,” (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
  • But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ… (2 Corinthians 2:14).

•  His All-Inclusive Help: “protective duty of a shepherd”
  • The Lord is my shepherd,
    I shall not want, (Psalm 23:1).
  • “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep,” (John 10:11).

•  His All-Inclusive Help: “avenging wrongs”
  • Vengeance is Mine, and retribution,
    In due time their foot will slip;
    For the day of their calamity is near,
    And the impending things are hastening upon them.’
    ³⁶ “For the Lord will vindicate His people,
    And will have compassion on His servants,
    When He sees that their strength is gone… (Isaiah 32:35-36).
  • and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you, (1 Thessalonians 4:6).

•  His All-Inclusive Help: “compassionate aid in a time of need”
  • “Can a woman forget her nursing child
    And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
    Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
    ¹⁶ “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;” (Isaiah 49:15-16).
  • For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, (Hebrews 4:15-16).

•  His All-Inclusive Help: “the salvation that only comes from God”
  • And it will be said in that day,
    “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
    This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
    Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation,” (Isaiah 25:9).
  • “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead —by this name…  ¹² And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved,” (Acts 4:10, 12).

How do we respond to His All-Inclusive Help?

All-Inclusive: “including everything; something where nothing is left out and where everything is considered or part of the package; sold for one price that includes charges and fees that are often added separately.”

“All-Inclusive.” Most of us are familiar with this term. It is characteristically applied to cruises, resort vacations, a day at the spa, and even the all-you-can-eat buffet. And let’s be honest… we love these arrangements because, well, because it just feels like we are being handed such a deal! No limits on the food we can eat, the entertainment we can enjoy, or the amenities offered.

But have you ever stopped to ponder the “deal” we are handed through His All-Inclusive Help?

I am currently reading (and highly recommend) The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, an engaging, conversational and thought-provoking read that is profoundly stirring both my prayer life and my faith.

In addressing the need for persistence in prayer, Mr. Batterson writes,

“…when Jesus said, ‘It is finished,’ it wasn’t just the final installment on our sin debt; it was the down payment on all His Promises.”

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us, (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Every promise for our every need is paid in full in Jesus Christ. In other words, All-Inclusive.

So today, let’s spend some time ruminating in the truths of His All-Inclusive Help.

Whatever the circumstance; whenever it occurs; whoever we encounter; however we are feeling; wherever we find ourselves, the LORD is faithful to help us wherever we go.

Let’s be persistent in prayer and faith as we trust every Promise in His Word, convinced each one is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus, (Philippians 1:6).

Let us seek Him daily, believing He will perfectly fulfill every good promise and transform us to become witnesses of His All-Inclusive Help in whatever the circumstance; whenever it occurs; whoever we encounter; however we are feeling; and wherever we find ourselves.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place, (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Let’s Grow Together!