---

“In my distress I called upon the LORD, Yes, I cried to my God; And from His temple He heard my voice, And my cry for help came into His ears.” (2 Samuel 22:7)

Some knuckle head somewhere back in time coined the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves.”

I suppose the guy was a dad, and he was trying to motivate a sluggish child to get with the program. Or more likely a parish priest trying to get his congregation up off their butts. But whoever it was, and whatever their motivation — the statement is false.

The truth of the matter is this — God does NOT help those who help themselves. He helps the helpless. He helps those who call out to Him. The good news is there are no super powers required to live this new life in Christ. God has all the power necessary, and He releases it in us and through us as it pleases Him.

God is not interested in helping us do our own thing with His assistance — for it will still be “our own thing.” And apart from the perfunctory acknowledgement to The Man Upstairs — He receives little or no glory for our achievements. We keep it all for ourselves.

God helps those who want His help, need His help, and ask for His help.

---

James Ryle-Rylisms