This is a remarkable prayer, for its brevity, timeliness, pointedness, and poignancy. David mourned how few faithful men he could find, so he lifted up his heart in prayer—when the creature failed, he flew to the Creator. David apparently felt his own weakness, or else he wouldn’t have cried for help, but at the same time he intended to honestly exert himself for the cause of truth—since the word help doesn’t apply when we ourselves do nothing. In this two-word prayer, there is much that is direct, clear in its perception, and distinct in its style—much more, in fact, than in the long, rambling prayers of some professing Christians. The psalmist ran straight to his God with a well-considered prayer—he knew what he was seeking and where to look for it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner. We have frequent occasions for the use of this prayer. In the afflictions that God allows into our lives, this is a suitable prayer for believers who find all other helpers failing them. Students of the Word, facing doctrinal difficulties, can receive help by lifting up this cry of Help, LORD to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors battling inner conflicts may call to God’s throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request. Those doing heavenly labor can use this prayer to obtain grace in time of need. Sinners seeing God, in their doubts and fears, can offer up the same weighty words—in fact, in all these cases, times, and places, this will serve the purposes of needy souls. Help, LORD will suit us living and dying, suffering or laboring, rejoicing or sorrowing. Our help is found in Him, so let no one hesitate to cry out to Him. If this prayer is sincerely offered through Jesus, its answer is certain. The Lord’s character assures us that He will not leave His people. His relationship as Father and Husband guarantees us His aid. The gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing, and God’s sure promise stands: “Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening.
Was talking of this the other day. Bullet prayers, arrow prayers. The reference was out of Nehemiah. He was an exile from Jerusalem. In the days after King Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the city. He lived in that timeframe of the tail end of the 70 year judgment from the Lord. Nehemiah had noticed that time and was praying for his people and wanted to do something. He was cupbearer to the King. Meaning he was THE most trusted man in the Kingdom. Everything that the King drank wasn't drank unless Nehemiah approved and had tasted himself. He was needing to ask the King for time to go and rebuild. This wasn't for a month. If you read the book it was over 12 years. That's no small favor. Yet in the midst of asking he 'shoots' a prayer up.
Oh if I only knew how many times I myself have done so. Both in the times of my knowing that I did and in the intention of my heart. There's just times when you don't have the time to utter the words.
Eloquent speeches or fancy speeches do not impress Jesus. High society doesn't impress Jesus. The rich and powerful do not impress Jesus. Read of His interactions with those who were. Read what He said to the rich young ruler.
God doesn't NEED our help but He DOES help us. God is able to do anything according to His Will. He isn't capable of doing things against His Word. Movies have been made showing someone with 'God's power' granting any wish that anyone had. Sinful or not. This is an abomination towards God. He cannot and will not empower anyone to sin, the very reason His Son came to Earth. The very reason He was put to death.
So God will not 'help those who help themselves'. He is not in favor of an eye for an eye. Forgiveness is what He brings when we come to Christ. Cleansing from all unrighteous.
Help in our time of need. It matters not how big or small the request. Jesus CAN help. The question really is whether or not what we ask is in His Will to happen. To the contrary, not everything is.
He's not willing that any should perish but that all would be saved. Yet in great numbers people are constantly showing up at the gates of Hell.
He's not willing that we should suffer but He says if the world hates you, the believer, remember it hated Him first.
He promised never to leave us nor forsake us. This He keeps. It may not feel like it, but He does. I was mentioning to a friend yesterday that yesterday felt like Jesus was squeezing me through a chasm, between some harsh things happening at work. He was leading me as He promised, even though the valley of the shadow of death if need be.
Our requests to God for help should reflect our walk with Jesus. Requests for understanding of God, of His Word. To help us to serve in what we do with the right heart attitude. Not requests to hit the lottery, be given a $50,000 car or a home in the Bahamas. Not requests for grand sums of money to be frivolous spent on ourselves. God does, according to the Bible, own the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns everything.
Our requests for help can have to do with health. But our narrow world view thinks of only a restored physical life as a true healing. God considers death to be a healing. We can be very selfish in our requests for His help in healing someone to keep them here. Why should we pray, in all reality, for someone on their deathbed, to be here and not be allowed to be in the presence of Jesus? If they are a believer then isn't that the greater prayer? To usher them into His arms? They might not be saved you say. Well, realize it was God who brought them to this bed of sickness. If indeed it ends in death, remember that the Bible says everyone will be without excuse before Him. Prayers can be made while breath remains with them for the Spirit to work. He can go where we cannot. I have seen this happen in more ways than I can tell you. God may not remove the reason for their health problems but He can save their soul. God has visited people in their dreams before. It's in the Bible.
We who are in Christ are Children of God. Adopted in with all access to the Father through the Son of God, by way of the Spirit of God.
Build your relationship with Jesus today so that when the time comes your prayers will indeed be within the scope of the Will of God. You may not see the answers right now but He promised to answer. It's usually yes, no, not now, or wait, I have something better in mind.
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