HELP YOURSELF!
Have you been looking for someone to blame for your failures? Look no further!
I want to draw your attention to three important phases of help that was revealed to me. When we become Christians and we begin our journey or walk with Christ, there are some valid lessons we need to learn, in order to succeed, and continue to succeed. One such lesson is the Ministry of Helps. Today, this brief lesson on the Ministry of Helps will not move past you, because, in order to help someone, you must first master the art of helping yourself.
In a nutshell, there are three phases of help that I would like to highlight.
1. God working independently to help you
2. You working independently to help you
3. God and you working together or partnering to help you
God working independently to help you is common both in the Bible and through the ages, however, note that God does not require your help when he has a task to complete. He is God all by himself and does not need your advice. So, allow him to work it out for you in His timing. Again, God does not need your help. 2 Samuel 6:6-7 references "Uzzah putting forth his hand to the ark of God to steady it for the oxen shook it and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah and God smote him there for his error and there he died by the ark of God”. Yes, God is holy. Keep your unholy hands away and let him be.
You working independently to help you
Luke 9:23; Exodus 14:16 - the children of Israel had come to a crossroad. They needed God's divine intervention, but Moses, their leader, had to do something that only Moses could do to help Moses.
“But lift up thy rod and stretch out thine hand over the sea and divide it and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea”
Moses had to lift up his rod and stretch his hand over the sea, that's all.
God and you in partnership to help you
Matthew 28: 18-20 & Exodus 14:19 - “And the Angel of God which went before the camp of Israel removed and went behind them (the pillar of cloud stood behind them giving light to the children of Israel and darkness to the Egyptians so they could not come near each other). As the children of Israel obeyed and walked with God, God protected them on their journey. Ps 23:4 “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for God is with me”. God promises never to leave you nor forsake you.
Let me use an everyday or a common situation to explain this a little bit more
- So you are seeking a job
- You prayed about it and you are prompted to drop off resumes at different workplaces
- You did
- God allows one of the business places to go through mountains of resumes and select yours as well as others. You are called in for an interview (God working by Himself).
- You got dressed and got to the interview on time (you, working on your own)
- While you sit in the interview God helps you to answer the questions impressively so that you got the job above the rest of those who were interviewed (Partnership)
Remember, the phases of help can be applied to those who are students, those who work independently or for companies, spouses, ministries… you name it, you can apply the phases of help to any situation. Just allow God to do His thing while you stand faithful in doing your thing then when you are prompted, work with the Lord/the Holy Spirit to complete the task.
God bless you.