Have you ever refused help and later regretted it?  Those of us who are men seem to be more prone to this than our counterparts.  Sometimes pride just will not allow us to admit that we need help.  A lot of pain and problems could be avoided if we were humble enough to accept help when it is offered.

Life is full of perplexing problems and troubling times, and sometimes it feels like there is nothing we can do, but there is always something we can do—we can turn to God for help.  Israel was in trouble, having been taken away into captivity.  Her trouble was self-induced, brought on by willful disobedience; nevertheless, God was there to help.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God’s willingness to help is still the same today.  He continues to tell us, “I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you…”

Those are words of great comfort when you think of the one who spoke them.  We cannot fathom how much power it would take to speak the universe into existence, but that is what God did (Hebrews 11:3).  In an even greater display of omnipotence, He created man and clothed him with a body so complex that the greatest minds in the world cannot figure out all its intricacies, and He made this body out of dust from the ground (Genesis 2:7).  This is the One who tells us, “I am your God; I will strengthen you…”  I do not know about you, but I believe Him.

It is this almighty God who promises to help us in times of need.  Why would anyone turn God away when He offers help?  It seems like such a foolish thing to do, but we have all done it.  We do it when we refuse to take counsel from His word.  It is by His word that God strengthens us.  Paul tells us that faith is produced by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  The only way this will happen is if we read and study the word that God has given us.  When we do, it gives us all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and the ability to endure the trials of life.

We also refuse God’s help by neglecting prayer.  Prayer gives us direct access to God and His helping power.

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
¹⁶  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

While there are many ways for us to draw near to God (all of which are ways that God helps us and gives us strength), the Hebrews writer is speaking specifically of prayer.  Through prayer, God is extending a hand to help us in times of need, whether it be physical or spiritual.  Jesus once told His disciples to pray that they enter not into temptation (Matthew 26:41).  God hears our petitions, and if they are according to His will, He grants them (1 John 5:14).  The problem is, we sometimes do not turn to Him for help when we need Him the most.  James once said that we have not because we ask not (James 3:2)

We need to tap into God’s strength if we expect Him to help us.  If we do, He will uphold us with His righteous hand.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.