Where Do You Look For Help?
“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 NIV).
All members of the Body of Christ are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) and each of u have unique gifts that serve to build up the Body. Nobody can really live alone. We all need assistance in some form.
In times of need, we are faced with a great question – where do we turn for help? The answer will reveal who we trust. The Psalmist modeled the proper response for us by writing, “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).
In Louisiana, the first step to make recipes is to make a roux. There is also a right first step when dealing with a problem – take it to God. The second step is to wait for His response. For me, that often means time in Scripture, prayer, and talking with Christian friends and knowing that God might use them to speak truth in love to me. I try to be intentional and pray blessings on my friends and a personal prayer for myself for ears to hear the often “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).
By the way, for a reminder regarding the blessing of praying for your friends, go read the book of Job and pay particular attention to Chapter 42. “After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).
Golly, how we tend to go everywhere else for help. Maybe to the bar, to the counselor, to the self-help book, or to the friend next door. Now, it is very important to understand that God can use anything in this fallen world to provide us with help. He very well might send us to see a friend for help, but it is so important that we do not assume we know His plan and deny ourselves the worship opportunity that is always present through prayer. Remember this – God is God and we are not.
How did Jesus respond when He was on the cross and in need of help? Did he ask for help from the crowd, His disciples, or His mother? The first one to hear His fear was His Father in heaven. Jesus said, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering” (Luke 22:42).
Much earlier in Biblical times, David was urging the fearful as he penned the well-known 23rd Psalm. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). David knew that he needed help, and he also knew exactly where to find it. He linked fear with faith and kept his focus on the blessed assurance that only comes from the Hand of the Father. How blessed would we be if we would simply go and do the same?
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, that comes along side of us to comfort and counsel. Forgive us for failing to go to You first for help. Forgive us for taking our plans to you and asking for Your blessing. Create in us a clean heart and a right spirit that seeks unity with You and Your children. We love you and need you. Amen.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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