“I have been home for a year now. I should be able to do this.”
The evidence before me told a very different story. Room to room, wall to wall lay exhibits of a guilty verdict. Cluttered piles, mail two weeks old, clothes yet hung, dishes in the sink, toys spilling into the hallway and a calendar set to two months prior.
“I haven’t been able to do this.”
After working full time for 14 years, I thought becoming a stay at home mom would be a cinch. I dreamed of giving bible story lessons and craft time after school. I imagined freshly baked blueberry muffins and frosted cupcakes. I envisioned a freshly cleaned house and clothes hung in color order. And yes, even meals promptly served as my husband waltzed through the door at precisely 6 p.m.
I soon realized I was flipping through the latest volume of “Martha Stewart meets Proverbs 31 Rockstar” magazine. It was all in my mind.
Here I was again. Under a pile of clothes, needing to be rescued.
I fell to the floor in my bedroom and vehemently sent out an S.O.S., “Help Me, Lord!”
It was a dramatic scene of epic proportions. Quite similar to David’s prayer while stuck in a pit of destruction, waiting to be pulled from the miry clay:
“For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me.” Psalm 40:12-13 (NIV)
God is Yahweh Ezer (Jehovah Ezer), the Lord My Help.
Troubles encountered in my lifetime have extended far beyond piles of clutter, but I rest in the fact that no request for God’s help is too small.
So I cried out. About my laundry.
In Psalm 40, David goes on to say, “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” (Psalm 40:17 NIV)
Read Proverbs 10:18. King Solomon ascribed God’s name as mighty tower. We can run into God’s tower for shelter, safety and stability. When God sets us “safe” in His tower, He is causing us to be elevated, lifted up and exalted.
James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.”
Crying out for God’s help requires a deep sense of humility, recognizing that in our own strength we cannot handle a given situation, circumstance, affliction or trial.
Habakkuk knew all too well, the weight of tribulation. The enormity of his trials included destruction, death and destitution for his people. Yet, in humility, God exalted Him like the hinds feet of a deer.
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:17-19
This anthem of praise extolling Jehovah Ezer in the face of utter affliction was the anchor that carried Habakkuk through the storm.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” Psalm 46:1-2a
The timing of God’s help is impeccable. It is always present and available. Do you believe that?
Here it directly from God: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 4:10
May we never substitute God’s delays for His denials. He is ever present, working to not only help you, but carry, sustain, strengthen and exalt you in His time. Let us wait on Him, Help is on the way!
Is there an area in your life that you are reluctant to seek God’s help?
RENOWN is a 4-week Bible study series. This week is God of Sufficiency.
View an overview of weekly lessons. // Begin week 1, God of Power // Begin week 2, God of Character // Begin week 3, God of Brilliance // Subscribe now to receive via email or rss feeder.
