" God helps those who help themselves." - Anonymous
"No try. Do or Do not." - Yoda
Sound advice and full of wisdom and both totally depressing and neither one in the Bible. In fact, both run exactly opposite to what the Bible says and what God wants us to know.
Consider when the Hebrews were finally on their way out of slavery in Egypt only to discover that Pharaoh changed his mind about letting them go and decided to take his army and chariots, race after them and slaughter them all. Pharaoh on one side and the Red Sea blocking their only escape.
" And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”
13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation[b] of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold[c] your peace.”
Exodus 14:10-14 NKJV
I love that phrase, "The Lord will fight for you." Also notice the phrase, "Stand still". And you know what happened? The LORD opened up the Red Sea and those several million FORMER slaves walked away, "on dry ground." They couldn't help themselves at all. EXACTLY the type of people the Lord longs to have as His followers. The Bible is filled with story after story of how when we humans couldn't "help ourselves" God would rush in to rescue us. IF we are His people. If you are one of the "Egyptians", you are going to be in heaps of trouble for coming after God's people.
Are you tired? Discouraged? Riddled with anxiety? This past year has sucked away your strength and you know that you are facing a brand new year that may hold more of the same or perhaps even worse? Perfect. You are EXACTLY the type of person Jesus is waiting to help.
There is no magic formula, no 12 step program, no self-help course, no amount of yoga that will solve all the problems and crisis' of your life. None that will heal a life and heart so broken that there just isn't another "try, try again" left in you.
"But I know something you don't know." (done in my child-like sing-song voice)
Jesus loves you. He is waiting for you. You CAN have an actual relationship with Him and it can start right now, wherever you are.
Time to find your strength in weakness, your joy in sorrow, your peace in the madness, your rest with Jesus.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
Speaking the Truth with love,
Always, Laura-Lee
"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
LINK Verses for if you are tired, lonely afraid ... by Debbie McDaniel via Crosswalk
