The Benefit of Help

Jennifer was suffering.  Her finances languished after months of just getting past too many bills. Her favorite dog, Lightning, a family fixture for thirteen years, passed away. Her job required her to be vaccinated but she was allergic to the ingredients of the shot. Despite her doctor’s note exempting her, she was getting hassled by her coworkers. Yesterday her car broke down. Just how was she supposed to pay her mechanic for this unexpected disaster?

​When times get tough it is amazing how prayers become sincerer. Jennifer bowed her head on a blustery, cold morning and shared her heart with her Dad.  “Lord, I’m at the end of my wits.  My heart is breaking. I don’t know how to pay my debts.  I’m discouraged and lost and feel like a loser.  I know You love me and You promise to provide but I don’t feel very capable right now.  Will You please help me?”
            
Two hungry kids were wailing in the kitchen.  So this single mom got up from her knees, brushed the tears from her eyes, and headed into the day, filled with fear, empty of cheer.  
            
God must immensely enjoy it when His children are honest, humble and come to Him for help. Jennifer’s brother, someone she had not spoken with in awhile, called her.  “Hey Sis!  I got a promotion at work and a big raise.  God put you on my heart.  I’m coming over with a check for $5,000.”  Jennifer gasped.  That single act of kindness would eliminate her debt and pay for her car repairs.  She broke down and sobbed and thanked her brother and then requested he stay for lunch.
            
Two hours later, a neighbor came over and asked if she and the kids would like a puppy. She was selling them at a $1000 each but she wanted Jennifer to have one for free for all the times she had come over and watched her kids and refused money.  Ah, the tears started falling again—Jennifer danced on the floor.  Her kids would be thrilled.
            
Four hours later after her brother had already come and gone, her mechanic called and said a fire started in the garage and before they could put it out her car was totaled. Because it was their fault, insurance would pay for a replacement vehicle for her and there would be no repair charge and they would cover her registration and title fees.  She thanked him, put down her cell phone and fell back on her knees.  This was no string of coincidences.  This was her Father responding.
           
On Sunday, Jennifer shared with her friends what had happened. She was about to say how unworthy she was and how God must be getting tired of her neediness when she saw the passage of meditation written in chalk on the blackboard. Her hand covered her mouth.
 
Meditation
2 Samuel 22:36—You have given me the shield of Your salvation; Your help exalts me.
 
When God answers prayer, His action elevates us. He lifts us up. It is not the time for self-loathing when there should be celebration. Help from heaven is a compliment not an act of condescension. Do you feel helpless?  Ask!  And when He responds remember how much you are loved and bask in it.  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
God comes in where my helplessness begins, that is the bedrock of entering the kingdom of heaven.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”—Oswald Chambers in Run Today’s Race
 
©2022 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)