Saturday, September 3, 2016

God Helps Those Who Can't Help Themselves

'God help those who help themselves' is a mistaken theology which many an earnest Christian subscribes to. It sounds so right, but it is actually of this world and not Scriptural. Truth be told, God helps those who can't help themselves. 

When we face an impossible situation, we could try whatever is humanly possible without even seeking God's help and remain stubborn that we need to do 'something' to save ourselves by the skin of our teeth. For sure, if we can brush our teeth, then we can do it on our own without seeking God. But, if we are unable to brush our teeth, then surely we need God's help rather than struggle or strive on with our carnal wisdom.

Naaman was a powerful man of great stature. He was "commander of the army of the king of Syria" (2 Kings 5:1), but he could not rid himself of leprosy. His saving grace was the divine connection he had through his servant girl who let on there was a prophet in Israel who could help. 

When Naaman came (by faith) with his horses and chariot (think of a Rolls Royce in modern-speak) to the house of Elisha the prophet, he was expecting an audience with the prophet in person. However, he was met by a messenger who conveyed Elisha's instruction to "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” (2 Kings 5:10b)

Naaman flew into a rage as his exacting expectations were not carried out in that the prophet neither met him nor invoked the name of LORD to heal him instantly. Moreover, he reasoned that there were other rivers with better water than the Jordan. Thankfully, his servants persuaded him to obey the prophet's instructions. "So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." (2 Kings 5:14)

When we are at our wits' end, we learn to be still and know that God is God. God helps those who can't help themselves; if Naaman could help himself, he would not have needed God's help.

Even a person who has a decent livelihood or much wealth would not be able to help himself or herself due to an incurable sickness. Consider the woman with the issue of blood. "Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped." (Luke 8:43, 44) 

The doctors couldn't cure her and she no longer had the means to pay for further medical treatment. Even if she could, there was no guarantee that they would be able to cure her. Only God could help. She recognised this and reached out (by faith) to touch the hem of His garment.

Jesus said to her,  “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48b) There is a clear distinction between being unable to help ourselves and being able to help ourselves, and we need to humbly recognise that when we are weak, God's strength is perfected in us. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In the case of the boy with the mute spirit, his father was desperate for Jesus to intervene. "Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23, 24) Jesus cast out the deaf and mute spirit, and the boy was restored.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life; His Words are spirit and life. And, He has the power of the Holy Spirit within Him. We need the Word of God and His Holy Spirit to overcome our impossible situation. It is God who has the power to help us when we can't help ourselves. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. Linger in His Presence and let Him show Himself strong on our behalf. We need Him more, more than yesterday. Be blessed in Jesus' Name!