We Trust God Will Deliver Us

Many of us perhaps feel a little like Helaman when he was tasked with leading the Nephite army under very difficult circumstances. He wrote of facing “an enemy which was innumerable” and how he was grieved that the government in Zarahemla didn’t send him more men to help face the Lamanites, fearing “lest by any means the judgments of God should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction” (Alma 58:8-9). He had too few men to face a much larger Lamanite army, and he had barely enough food to survive. Though few of us are up against a physical army like Helaman, we often feel that we simply don’t have the resources—whether that is in time, money, talents, or energy—to accomplish the things that are required of us in our sphere of responsibilities. With demands on our time in our families, communities, careers, church callings, and more, we are often stretched thin and wonder like Helaman if we can make it. I believe Helaman’s example of how he was successful in this very difficult time can teach us a lot about how we too can overcome our trials when we feel overwhelmed.

                One thing that we can learn from Helaman is how to have a realistic yet positive attitude. He first acknowledged his struggle plainly to Moroni, explaining the circumstances he was in: “And now the cause of these our embarrassments, or the cause why they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not; therefore we were grieved and also filled with fear, lest by any means the judgments of God should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction.” He further explained, “Now we do not know the cause that the government does not grant us more strength; neither do those men who came up unto us know why we have not received greater strength. Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful, and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if so, we do not desire to murmur.” Though he recognized the difficulties he faced and suggested they were due in part to others’ neglect, Helaman did not dwell on them or complain: “But, behold, it mattereth not—we trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies” (Alma 58:9, 34-35, 37). I love that attitude and surely it is an example for us to follow. We can openly and realistically recognize our challenges, but even when they are caused by the actions of others we need not dwell on them but can focus on putting our trust in God to overcome them.

                I love the way that Helaman and his army turned to the Lord for strength in this difficult time, and that is how we should respond in our own trials. He wrote, “Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.” They poured out their hearts to God in prayer, seeking His strength and assurance as they faced an innumerable foe. They were “strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day” and turned to Him even when mortal sources of help failed them. The Lord indeed heard their cries and answered them this way: “It came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him” (Alma 58:10-11, 40). They obtained what they needed most in their challenging predicament: assurance from God that He would deliver them. In whatever difficulties we face, we can similarly turn to the Lord with all our hearts and He will give us the confidence we need that with His help, we can succeed.

                Lastly, Helaman and this Nephite army went to work, doing all that they could to defeat the Lamanite enemies despite their disadvantage. They didn’t sit back and complain that their task was impossible, but rather they gave the Lord a chance to bless their efforts: “And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty. And thus we did go forth with all our might against the Lamanites” (Alma 58:12-13). They were determined to give it their all to fulfill the assignment given to them, notwithstanding their small numbers, and they went to work with all their might. They developed a plan by which they were able to draw away the army of Lamanites in the city Manti, and through a miracle it worked so that they obtained the city. They did all that they could to make this plan successful, and through the grace of God they overcame. Helaman showed us the truth of his father’s words to him: “I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3). Like Helaman, as we put our trust in God and work with all our might, He will likewise support us in all our trials, troubles, and afflictions.