“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2, ESV)
Psalm 86:17 declares that “you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.” Hebrews 13:6 explains that because “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear”. Romans 8:26 argues that it’s not only the Lord God who helps people, “The Spirit also helps in our weakness”. A character trait of God is HIS willingness to help, to comfort, to watch over, to provide. Sadly, when people really need God’s help, they often look in the wrong places!
Last week, a student at Penn State was walking to class when he noticed a woman struggling to carry a briefcase, several papers, a small bag, a tote, and what looked to be some kind of experiment into a building. Fully aware of her juggling all her belongings while getting ready to open the door, the student said, “Here, let me get that door for you!” He was met with a strong glare from her as well as puckered lips. After she stepped through the door, the woman said to the student, “I could have done that myself. I don’t need a man to open the door for me!” The student looked shocked and simply replied, “My mother taught me to be kind and open doors for others when they need it.” The woman replied, “I never need it. I’m not helpless. Is that what you think women are, helpless?” She barged down the hallway to her classroom, obviously peeved at the audacity of the young man to help. He was left to wonder if helping her was a good or bad thing.
At some point in your life, you will need help. Will you seek it? Will you be too prideful to admit it? Will your feminist sensitivities preclude you even asking for it? Will your arrogance demand you are too good to need help? Why is it that when some people need help, they often don’t ask for it, while others don’t really need the help but demand it? There is a time for being independent and strong. However, there is also a time when you need to ask for help! God knows that when it comes to functioning in this world, you will need HIS help at times. Will you recognize that time when it comes?
After dating Henry for well over two years, Charlene moved in with Henry. Initially, Charlene thought things were great in their living situation. After a while, their interactions seemed to change. Henry became more distant. When they argued, Henry would become angry and berate Charlene. They never seemed to deal with their disagreements. When Henry was upset with Charlene, he either would become sullen and quietly fume or burst forth with anger and insults. Not being married, Charlene and Henry spent a few tense months in this awkward time in their relationship. Then, slowly, they began to just ignore each other. Six months after moving in together, Henry cheated on Charlene and Charlene moved back home, utterly broken over Henry’s affair.
At this point in Charlene’s life, she struggled with a lot of things. Some days, Charlene questioned where she and Henry went wrong. Other days, Charlene wondered if she wasn’t pretty enough to keep a man. Charlene never “clicked” with anyone before Henry. They had such a good time when they first dated. Why had their relationship gone sour? After a year of questioning, Charlene bumped into Henry at a store. Surprisingly, their interaction went well. Henry expressed regret at what happened and his part in the affair. Charlene expressed sorrow at what went wrong. Henry asked Charlene if she wanted to go out again. At first, she turned Henry down. Then, after running into Henry on a few other occasions, Charlene told Henry that she wouldn’t mind seeing him again. Charlene’s parents were livid. They told Charlene that Henry had hurt her too deeply. Charlene believed Henry might be “the one” but still resented Henry for his affair.
Questioning in her heart and soul what to do, Charlene visited a close Christian friend. The two talked a long while, then prayed together. They met several times to talk over the next week. The friend asked Charlene to take some time to come back to God, to give God time to show her the truth, and to rediscover her relationship with God. Charlene came back to church. Less than a month later, she met Charles and the two fell deeply in love. They have now been married for more than fifteen years.
Charlene confessed to her pastor some interesting things. First, Charlene regretted moving in with Henry. Their relationship was never really healthy or blessed before God. Second, Henry went on to be married and divorced twice in the whole time that Charlene and Charles were married. Third, Charlene is very thankful that she went to talk with her Christian friend. If not, she fears that she would have just been one more divorce for Henry. Her relationship with Charles is vastly different and spiritually fulfilling. Finally, Charlene will be the first person to tell you that when you need help, God will provide that help. God gave Charlene a good friend to trust and some direction at a very crucial time in her life. Without God’s help, Charlene believes wholeheartedly she would have lived a very different and very broken existence.
In one of his meditations, Charles Spurgeon mused the following:
“The Lord says, “I will help you.” Strength within is supplemented by help from without. God can raise up allies in our warfare if it seems good in His sight. Even if He doesn’t send human assistance, He Himself will be at our side, and this is even better.
His help is timely, for He is a very present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1). His help is wise, for He knows how to give what is good for us. His help is effective…. His help is more than help, for He carries all the burdens and supplies, all the needs. “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6). Because He has already been our help, we feel confidence in Him for the present and the future.
Our expectation is, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1).
Our song will be, “You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me” (Ps. 86:17).”
(p. 137, Beside Still Waters).
The scripture reading for today from Psalm 121 contains a promise. If you look for it, your “help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). When you need answers, seek them with God. When you need to adjust your values, God will provide guidance. When challenges and frustrations in life threaten to overwhelm you, put your trust in the Lord. When you don’t know which way to go, God will know which path is the best for you. Seek the Lord’s direction. Search God’s word. Obey God’s voice. Listen for God’s Spirit. Just learn when and how to ask for God’s help!
Last week, a student at Penn State was walking to class when he noticed a woman struggling to carry a briefcase, several papers, a small bag, a tote, and what looked to be some kind of experiment into a building. Fully aware of her juggling all her belongings while getting ready to open the door, the student said, “Here, let me get that door for you!” He was met with a strong glare from her as well as puckered lips. After she stepped through the door, the woman said to the student, “I could have done that myself. I don’t need a man to open the door for me!” The student looked shocked and simply replied, “My mother taught me to be kind and open doors for others when they need it.” The woman replied, “I never need it. I’m not helpless. Is that what you think women are, helpless?” She barged down the hallway to her classroom, obviously peeved at the audacity of the young man to help. He was left to wonder if helping her was a good or bad thing.
At some point in your life, you will need help. Will you seek it? Will you be too prideful to admit it? Will your feminist sensitivities preclude you even asking for it? Will your arrogance demand you are too good to need help? Why is it that when some people need help, they often don’t ask for it, while others don’t really need the help but demand it? There is a time for being independent and strong. However, there is also a time when you need to ask for help! God knows that when it comes to functioning in this world, you will need HIS help at times. Will you recognize that time when it comes?
After dating Henry for well over two years, Charlene moved in with Henry. Initially, Charlene thought things were great in their living situation. After a while, their interactions seemed to change. Henry became more distant. When they argued, Henry would become angry and berate Charlene. They never seemed to deal with their disagreements. When Henry was upset with Charlene, he either would become sullen and quietly fume or burst forth with anger and insults. Not being married, Charlene and Henry spent a few tense months in this awkward time in their relationship. Then, slowly, they began to just ignore each other. Six months after moving in together, Henry cheated on Charlene and Charlene moved back home, utterly broken over Henry’s affair.
At this point in Charlene’s life, she struggled with a lot of things. Some days, Charlene questioned where she and Henry went wrong. Other days, Charlene wondered if she wasn’t pretty enough to keep a man. Charlene never “clicked” with anyone before Henry. They had such a good time when they first dated. Why had their relationship gone sour? After a year of questioning, Charlene bumped into Henry at a store. Surprisingly, their interaction went well. Henry expressed regret at what happened and his part in the affair. Charlene expressed sorrow at what went wrong. Henry asked Charlene if she wanted to go out again. At first, she turned Henry down. Then, after running into Henry on a few other occasions, Charlene told Henry that she wouldn’t mind seeing him again. Charlene’s parents were livid. They told Charlene that Henry had hurt her too deeply. Charlene believed Henry might be “the one” but still resented Henry for his affair.
Questioning in her heart and soul what to do, Charlene visited a close Christian friend. The two talked a long while, then prayed together. They met several times to talk over the next week. The friend asked Charlene to take some time to come back to God, to give God time to show her the truth, and to rediscover her relationship with God. Charlene came back to church. Less than a month later, she met Charles and the two fell deeply in love. They have now been married for more than fifteen years.
Charlene confessed to her pastor some interesting things. First, Charlene regretted moving in with Henry. Their relationship was never really healthy or blessed before God. Second, Henry went on to be married and divorced twice in the whole time that Charlene and Charles were married. Third, Charlene is very thankful that she went to talk with her Christian friend. If not, she fears that she would have just been one more divorce for Henry. Her relationship with Charles is vastly different and spiritually fulfilling. Finally, Charlene will be the first person to tell you that when you need help, God will provide that help. God gave Charlene a good friend to trust and some direction at a very crucial time in her life. Without God’s help, Charlene believes wholeheartedly she would have lived a very different and very broken existence.
In one of his meditations, Charles Spurgeon mused the following:
“The Lord says, “I will help you.” Strength within is supplemented by help from without. God can raise up allies in our warfare if it seems good in His sight. Even if He doesn’t send human assistance, He Himself will be at our side, and this is even better.
His help is timely, for He is a very present help in time of trouble (Ps. 46:1). His help is wise, for He knows how to give what is good for us. His help is effective…. His help is more than help, for He carries all the burdens and supplies, all the needs. “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6). Because He has already been our help, we feel confidence in Him for the present and the future.
Our expectation is, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1).
Our song will be, “You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me” (Ps. 86:17).”
(p. 137, Beside Still Waters).
The scripture reading for today from Psalm 121 contains a promise. If you look for it, your “help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). When you need answers, seek them with God. When you need to adjust your values, God will provide guidance. When challenges and frustrations in life threaten to overwhelm you, put your trust in the Lord. When you don’t know which way to go, God will know which path is the best for you. Seek the Lord’s direction. Search God’s word. Obey God’s voice. Listen for God’s Spirit. Just learn when and how to ask for God’s help!