God Helps Those Who Can’t
Pride and arrogance can get in the way.
God’s Word is in conflict with the world
We are taught in life to take care of ourselves. We hear things like “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and “God helps those who help themselves.”
Interestingly, the last statement is found nowhere in the Bible. Some credit Benjamin Franklin with coining this phrase. In fact, that is the focus of this article.
God wants us to labor, but only in His strength!
The Bible is teeming with examples of how men and women of God went about doing things, often claiming that it was for God, without first praying or considering whether or not the Lord was with them.
From Joshua deciding to attack Ai without first getting God’s blessing to the countless errors of the Judges who strayed from God, even the Lord’s people can be caught up in doing what they think is the right thing with the wrong motive.
“God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength.” — Charles Spurgeon.
It goes without saying that most of us have found ourselves fighting an uphill battle against something, only to throw up our hands and say, “I guess all there is left to do now is pray,” as if God expects us to figure everything out on our own first and only after we have failed to come to Him to see if He is needed. Nothing could be further from the truth!
“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (John 7:16–18 KJV)
So, what did Jesus mean when He said, “My doctrine is not mine…He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory…?”
The writers of the Bible knew all about this struggle
The Bible is full of instructions for our daily lives; at least, we should know this. It doesn’t take a seminary degree to have read or heard messages about the Word of God being hidden in the psalmist’s heart to keep him from sinning.
The writer is humble enough to admit that the truth of God’s Word keeps him from sinning, not his own human ability.
We read the same thing with what amounts to a confession from Paul in Romans, particularly in chapters 6 and 7, where he reminds us of the filth of our sins, the need for redemption, and his own propensity to sin without Christ’s strength.
Are we listening to God or the world?
If a man considered among the greatest and godliest men in Christian history confesses his need for Christ in all he does, how much more do I need Him?
Paul told the church of Rome, and in doing so tells us,
“no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.” (Romans 3:11–12, ESV)
If that is the case, and no one understands or seeks God, and all have turned aside, then would it be prudent to think that God only helps those who “help themselves?” What kind of help could such people offer?
What about you? Are you relying on your own strength, knowledge, and judgment to get you by until failure comes, only to make a 911 call to God then? Is Jesus your “Lifeline call” in the gameshow of life?
Problems and challenges are a part of life. Making decisions that prevent them isn’t always easy. After all, against everything we try, we cannot manipulate or control the actions of others.
We can only choose to react to them when they intersect with our lives. As such, I ask you: are you going to God when faced with potential conflict? Do you see potential problems and rush out on your own to “fix” them, knowing that you can always call on God later if needed, or do you pause first and go to the King of kings in prayer?
Special thanks to Grace Bianco, Radha Kapadia, and Perry Malzahn for your encouragement and support in making me a better writer.
Living Faith by James M. Dakis is a Christian writing ministry that shares devotional teachings and faith-based fiction for anyone hoping to grow in Christ. Whether you are already a Christian or have questions about your faith, I would love to talk with you. Comment here or reach out to me personally.