This past weekend we were able to spend some days away from home. It was the first time in nearly 3 years that we have tried to go somewhere longer than a couple of hours from our home. That meant it was quite an excursion for us, and we had to "remember" how to travel. It was also our first time travelling in a smaller car and it made us pack much lighter than we had done in the past. Even so we took more things than we would have if we had been traveling by plane or train. I kept telling myself that some of it would not come home with us so there would be less to unpack when we came back home. I was wrong. Of course that wouldn't be true! We went shopping several times and for several people. After all, there are stores in the city that aren't available to small town Iowa! My packing and unpacking made me wonder—what do I expect to need to take with me on that future trip to an even future away destination? God is giving me time to prepare ahead of the time of departure. I planned what I was going to take last week. Am I preparing for what I want to take with me on this future trip? In reality, we don't need to pack anything, but we do need to prepare. Instead of packing several outfits of clean clothes for wearing while we are traveling and visiting, I truly need to prepare for this future trip by making sure my life is clean and ready to go.
When one goes visiting, you can expect to make the usual Sabbath morning routines to be different from your normal routine and expect to make the routines where you are visiting to also be different for them. For one thing, the line to shower when there is only one shower means you need to figure out your place in line to shower and have time for the other things to be done before leaving and driving to church. I am so glad that God does not make us get in line to get ready to meet and worship Him. He doesn't say first come, first to go! He has immediate openings for us to come and get clean for meeting with Him. We never have to get in line to visit with Him, and will always be on time for our time with Him.
I had the chance to listen without being seen to the Sabbath morning getting ready for church conversations. A soon to be 3-year-old boy was getting dressed for Sabbath that morning. As with so many 3-year-olds, he expressed to his parents that he wanted to "do it himself". And he is a very determined, very capable little guy most of the time! But then I heard, "Help!" Isn't that just like us? We are so determined to "do it our way". We think we are capable, we know how things should be or how we want them to be and we just go ahead and try "my way." And then we get in trouble and suddenly we are calling out—"God, Help Me!” We find out that we don't have all the answers after all! We are no better than a three-year-old little boy. We suddenly realize that things are not working out the way we thought they would and probably aren't ever going to if we continue on trying to do it our own way. We need help.
That morning was special—a special breakfast for God's special Sabbath day. There were waffles and fresh strawberries and real whipped cream and applesauce and peanut butter.....who could turn down that? No one! I was given the helping task of slicing the strawberries for our waffle breakfast. These were beautiful strawberries and smelled just like—ripe strawberries! They smelled so good! And the 3-year-old's eyes really lit up! He likes/loves strawberries! He saw what I was doing! And of course, he wanted to join my helping party. His Daddy helped him to get into his highchair and close to the table. Then he gave him a safe table knife and a bowl to put the berries in that he would slice. What an eager helper! He was so good at helping slice them. His slices were nearly as good as mine, me with a sharp knife, him with a table knife. We sliced away. My bigger bowl got pretty full! His smaller bowl remained empty! He sliced many berries but not one made it into his bowl! They all entered his mouth! My help—good but not productive nor effective!
When we become the helper, how is our effectiveness? Are we helping with the right intentions? Is it to really be of help in the world and serve God? or do we have ulterior motives and maybe helping to make ourselves feel good with all the "good we are doing." Something I need to really think about!
"I will do it myself—help me God" acknowledges my desire for independence but also recognizes my need for divine assistance. It recognizes the importance of me seeking God's guidance and strength in situations where often I feel tempted to rely solely on my own abilities.
The phrase "I will do it myself" reflects a desire for independence and self-reliance, a common human tendency.
The addition of "help me God" acknowledges a recognition of my limitations and a humble plea for divine intervention and guidance.
This encourages humility by acknowledging that we cannot always do everything on our own and that we are very dependent on God's help.
It promotes our trust in God's ability to guide and strengthen us, encouraging faith in His promises and provision.
It emphasizes the importance of seeking the guidance of God's wisdom and direction in life's challenges, rather than relying solely on our own judgment.
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV).
In the midst of struggle and suffering, remember God is with you/me! He is holding our hand and reminding not to fear. He will indeed help you.
What situation in your life has made you feel helpless, fearful, maybe alone? Why do I need God to hold my hand throughout today?
I have to remember that no one is alone in this life or situation. And even when it seems like there’s no one around who you can communicate with, no one who understands what you’re going through, God is always with you. He cares, and He understands. No diagnosis, trouble, or disappointment or defeat is too big for Him to handle, so “let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV). We can surrender our burdens, our stress and our worry to God today.
Did God ever say help yourself and I will help you? Nowhere in Scripture will you or I be able to find the idea that God helps those who help themselves. It's not there. Instead, we can only find the opposite. For example, when Paul wrote about trouble and trials, he said that he and his team were “so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself” (2 Cor. 1:9). Their burden was so great they felt they’d received a death sentence. Jesus also described our redemption and the forgiveness of our sins as something reserved for those who can't help themselves. Instead, he described us as sheep, needing a shepherd to come and rescue us (Luke 15:4-6).
God does not help those who can help themselves because, from this perspective, we cannot help ourselves. We cannot save ourselves from our ties to sin, nor from the wrath of God, so He does it for us. Trying my own power fails me when I rely on self, rather than God. To believe that God helps those who help themselves, is very foolish, and it’s being proud. Pride leads to the belief that we can do everything by our own gusto and go-to attitude just like the 3-year-old. We think we can pick ourselves up by our spiritual & moral bootstraps. But then there is this, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:5).
If I know that the idea that God helps those who help themselves is false, how should I respond? I need to spend some time asking God to reveal to me in what ways I live like this is true. And as He reveals them, my desire is to repent. I have no doubt that there are areas in which I am doing this, and I hope that I am learning to be humble enough to admit them.
Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NIV)
Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (NIV)
And after we’ve made it through the time of needing God's help, be sure to give God the glory for all He’s held us through. I watched with awe that this 3-year-old little boy demanded and fussed from time to time until his daddy or mommy asked him did you ask nicely? And immediately the sweetest little voice always changed from demanding to a smiling "pease?" It was special to see the change become please and "tank you!"
Dear God, thank You for keeping me and holding me through the tough times. I trust that no matter what I’m facing today, You are right here with me, helping me every step of the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Story time--A young boy slumped into the car with a loud sigh, harshly plopping his backpack onto the back seat. “Mom, I wrote ‘help me’ on my paper at school today.”
Mother's concerned eyes met his in the rearview mirror. “Who were you asking to help you?” “I was asking God.” Her heart ached because she understood the desperation wrapped inside those two little words: Help me. She had recently prayed several “help me God” prayers herself.
Maybe you’ve done the same. In life, we all experience overwhelming circumstances that come our way. If we let them, these moments remind us how dependent we are on God. There’s hope when we remember where our help comes from: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
Students of the Bible will say that Psalm 121 is a “psalm of ascent,” a prayerful song that ancient Israelites would sing as they journeyed to Jerusalem to worship God at His temple. They faced uncertain terrain and dangers on the way. Yet as they lifted their gaze toward the holy city, they preached courage to their hearts, proclaiming their help was found in their Creator, not in creation nor in a destination. After confidently declaring who was their help, they reminded themselves of how He would help them:
The Lord would ensure their feet wouldn’t slip (Psalm 121:3).
He would protect and preserve His people (Psalm 121:7-8).
He never sleeps, so His vigilant eye would always be on them, guarding them from evil (Psalm 121:4). Also—
Psalm 109:21, “But you, Sovereign LORD, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me” (NIV).
Psalm 120:1, “I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me” (NIV).
No matter what “help me” moment I might find myself in, God is ever-present, supremely interested and personally invested. I, too, can look beyond what is happening to behold my Creator, reminding myself that Jesus has unlimited power to save, keep and carry me safely home. The journey won’t always be easy. But the God who created the mountain that is before me is far greater than the dangerous upward climb. He’s enthroned on high but also journeys with us down low, supremely watching over every one of my shaky steps. There’s no shame in my simple “help me” prayer; because it has a note of desperation while always expressing humble dependence on the greatest Helper I could ever have. It confesses I don’t know the way, but I know the One who does.
When we’re weary of persevering, let’s boldly shout, Lord, help me!
When we don’t know how to help our child, let’s plead, Lord, help me.
When anxiety clouds our thinking, let's whisper, Lord, help me.
The Lord may not eliminate every problem on this side of heaven, but He walks with us through it all and hears our every cry.
Let's daily pray this prayer—Heavenly Father, I’m desperate for Your help. Please lead and carry me through rough terrain, all for the glory of Your name.Thank you for answering my plea for help, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Help me God!
How have you experienced the Lord’s help in the past? How does this encourage you to seek and trust Him with a present difficulty?
Have you ever felt overlooked or insignificant in this vast world? You're not alone. It’s easy to lose sight of our value, but here’s the incredible truth: you are immensely important to God! Imagine that every single hair on your head is counted and cherished by the Creator of the universe. This profound message serves as a powerful reminder of your worth and purpose. Let's explore the boundless love and assurance that Jesus offers, affirming that each of us holds a unique place in His heart. Whether you’re searching for hope, affirmation, or a deeper understanding of your divine significance, this truth will uplift your spirit and empower your journey. Embrace the incredible value you possess and remember – you're not just a face in the crowd; you are uniquely crafted and celebrated by God.