Only Hashem Can Help:
Rav Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l (Sefer Ohr Yechezkel, page 16) writes that the way of Hashem is to send salvation when it appears that all hope is lost. This is seen from the verse (Tehillim 34:20): “There are many difficulties for a tzadik and Hashem saves him from them all.” This means that Hashem’s salvation arrives specifically at a time of difficulty, when it appears like there is no hope.
The reason for this is because Hashem wants to test people. Therefore, he sends difficulties to people to determine if they give up hope or if they trust in Him and do not despair. If they retain their emunah, He sends His salvation at the last moment.
In this vein, the Kedushas Levi explains the famous statement based on Chazal of “teshuas Hashem k’heref ayin”, Hashem salvation comes in the blink of an eye, by saying that when it seems like Hashem’s eyes are closed and He is not paying attention to a person (the word “heref” can mean to close, as in Devarim 9:14), that is when the yeshua arrives. If a person passes the test and doesn’t give up even when he is in a tough situation, he will see the salvation, and from then on it will be clear to him that all he has to do is trust in Him.
