God my Helper!
by Sue Cronk
The past few days I have been studying the life of the Prophet Samuel and have been amazed at how different his life was to the two sons of Eli the Priest. Hophni and Phinehas showed no respect for their status and duties as priests, treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt, and seduced the women who served at the Tabernacle (1 Samuel 2).
Samuel, on the other hand, had learnt to listen to the voice of the Lord and grew in favour with both God and man (1 Samuel 2:26). The Lord was with Samuel and let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19). Samuel honoured the God of Israel and, in response, God honoured him and answered the prayers of His prophet.
God was Samuel’s Helper and Samuel knew it. With conviction, and as a reminder to Israel, he set up the rock of Ebenezer, proclaiming, “Thus far has the Lord helped us”. He knew by experience what King David later recited in the Psalms - that God was ‘a very present and well proved help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1, Amplified).
The writer of Hebrews, possibly the Apostle Paul, also echoed the conviction of Samuel and David. He reminded the Hebrews that God would never leave nor forsake them, that they could say with confidence that the Lord was their helper and they need not be afraid (Hebrews 13:5-6). What an amazing thought! The God who created the heavens and the earth, cares about you and I and want to help us too.
I wonder whether you look to God as your helper, or whether you are still trying to do life on your own. Or maybe you only ask God for help in the ‘big things’, after you have exhausted your own strength and all other avenues. My experience and conviction are that God is interested in all aspects of our lives and wants to help us in both the big and the small things. That means that I can pray to Him when I have misplaced my eyeglasses, and also when I hold a negative doctor’s report in my hands. He is my helper and is your helper too.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You care about me more than I understand and want to help me, in whatever way I need help. Thus far You have helped me, and I trust You to continue doing so. I am especially concerned about … today (fill in the blank). I ask for Your help in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sue Cronk now lives permanently in Australia and is married to Peter. She is involved with Ellel Victoria and is presently teaching on the Explore Course in Melbourne. Her passion is to encourage God`s people by speaking hope and courage into their lives.
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