The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 40:13-17, “Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.

14 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those

be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.

15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, ‘Aha, aha!’

16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say

continually, ‘The LORD be magnified!’

17 Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my

deliverer. Do not delay, O my God.”

Psalm 70:1-8, “O God, hasten to deliver me; O LORD, hasten to my help!

2 Let those be ashamed and humiliated Who seek my life; let those be turned back and

dishonored who delight in my hurt.

3 Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, ‘Aha, aha!’

4 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation

say continually, ‘Let God be magnified.’

5 But I am afflicted and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer.

O LORD, do not delay.”

Whenever we’re in trouble, we immediately seek someone to help! The one we seek is the one

who is competent and nearby.

These two Psalms depict the cry of someone in desperate need! Thus, “hasten” is always a principal word! Time is the designation of utmost importance! “Haste” and “Hasten” are doubly needed in our day! “Help” is the cry of each! And help is exactly what we need!

Still, caution squeezes itself into both verses. It is an ingredient that on our part must never be ignored! Its action, however, must always be tempered, so as to avoid crying “Wolf, wolf,” and drawing unprepared helpers into the fray.

In each instance in the above verses, “hasten” is properly tempered and addressed to the only One competent to hear and respond. The LORD is truly our best and only help in time of trouble!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America