That was the title of our message yesterday at church and it was a good one. Whew - it really was a good message! It was based on Psalm 107 and as I read it this morning, I noted there are 4 times that the people cried out "Lord, Help!". And each time, the next line reads, "And He...." . "And He delivered them out of their distresses" (vs 8). "And He saved them out of their distresses." (vs13). "And He saved them out of their distresses." (vs 19). "And He brings them out of their distresses." (vs 28).
I love the beginning of verse 29 - "He calms the storm."
How many times do we do things OUR way and then find we made a mess of it? Perhaps we saw something that was a bit out of our financial means and we coveted it, and got it, knowing that we really could not afford it? I think most of us have done that. Or we had an expense come up that we just didn't have the money for and we scraped in all we could and then literally begged that they would fix the problem and let us pay on installment. I know we have done both. Praise God we have also learned over the years to NOT give in to the covetness of something that we can not afford, or something that would stress us until it was paid for. And Praise God He provides for us the resources to save some money to pay for those necessary expenses that pop up on occasion.
Although some things happen that are OUR own faults and we still have to pay for them. I find it interesting that when hubby breaks something and it costs $200-$300 to fix that our savings account is our "emergency fund". However, let there be a bill come up that he doesn't want to pay (i.e., the Rec bill that we have to pay every year but we don't always use), he will ask me for my savings to pay it. (we ended up splitting it this year. I knew the money was in the joint savings; I just didn't want to argue over it.) Apparently I am more of a saver than he is. Which is also why I can't tell him how much I have in savings (not that it is a whole lot); if he knows I have it, he will find ways to spend it.
But back to the 'Lord Help', many times we don't have because we don't ask the Lord for help. How many times have you struggled through something and tried to figure it out on your own? Did you know that you don't have to figure it out on your own? All you have to do is ask - "Lord, Help"! And He will.
There are numerous times the Bible shares, especially in the Old Testament - again going to Psalm 107 and you read this....
Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28 (NKJV): "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble....." and the words next are "And He delivered them from their distresses; And He saved them from their distresses..."
Sometimes God allows us to work our way through difficulties to help us to learn some things. I know it didn't take long for me to learn 'quit spending on things we don't really need!' I think it was easier for me than it has been for hubby. I grew up with nothing. My clothes until high school and I got a job were bought at Goodwill. When my daddy died, we lived behind a furniture store (same building - the furniture store was the front of the house) because that was all we could afford. I still remember how embarrassed I was in PE in high school. Our school colors were blue and gold. The gym uniforms required were blue. We couldn't afford to buy me one; mine came from Goodwill and it was green. And it wasn't pretty either. Alas, my mind has gone back in history and I need to bring it back.
There have been many times I have cried out to the Lord "Lord, please HELP!" and it has been for a number of things. I've cried out to Him for help when we've struggled with finances, with this marriage, with health issues, with children issues. And when I have prayed and cried out to Him for His help, I gain peace. I don't always get the answer I want; but it is always the right answer because it comes from Him who knows all. He is El Roi, "The God who sees". And I know He sees me, and He sees you.
Even now I cry out to him for my prodigal children and grandchildren. "Lord Help and bring them back to You." It may not be in my timing, but it will always be in His.
If you are going through a trying time; needing a job; needing finances, needing healing, needing restoration of relationships, needing forgiveness, needing - whatever it is, stop reading and just cry out to God with whatever it is and just say "Lord, Help with ........................". He even does the little things like headaches and earaches and pains. There have been times in the past when my head would hurt so bad I'd lay my head on the floor and cry and ask Him to touch my head and remove the pain. And He did.
Until you acknowledge your deliverance, you will not understand how much you are loved.
Whatever it is you may be going through, know that you can cry out "Lord, Help!" and He will answer. Sometimes it isn't the way you want Him to. Trust His answer. Sometimes we know what the answer is, but we want a 'freebie'. Learn from your past. Trust Him for the future.
Need wisdom? He is more than willing to give it. Need understanding? Just ask. I have a board meeting this morning at 8:30AM. Remember last time when I was in dread and panic that I had to take minutes - and it was a disaster to begin with. But because I have asked the Lord for His help, and that He will help me remember how to record the meeting; help me take the right minutes,; help me do the things I am required to do... I can trust Him to help me. I am much calmer this time than I was the last time.
And all you have to do is ask... "Lord, Help".
Blessings!
