Helpless but Hopeful

When was the last time you felt helpless? Maybe you started a new job and are not sure how to navigate the new position. Maybe the terrible twos have arrived and you’re just not sure how you’re going to get through this phase with your kids. Or perhaps you’re getting older, and some things don’t come as easy as they used to. Whatever it might be, whenever something is beyond our control, things tend to get a bit uncomfortable.

Sin has kind of hardwired us this way. We have this desperate need to be self-reliant. We want to believe that we can do all things on our own, but we can’t. Recognizing our own helplessness is what leads us to the hope of Christ.

We see this reality woven into the verses of Psalms 116. This is one of my favorite chapters in Psalms because it paints this picture of complete reliance on the Lord, and that apart from Him we are capable of doing nothing. It gives us a glimpse of a desperate man in need of God’s grace, someone who is longing for peace but realizes that he is inadequate to provide it for himself. He needs the Lord. The psalmist fears death and affliction. He is physically, emotionally, and spiritually empty and at the end of himself. But in God’s presence, he finds hope. Psalms 116: 3-6 (CSB) reads,

3 “The ropes of death were wrapped around me,
And the torments of Sheol overcame me, I encountered trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called out to the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous,
Our God is compassionate.
6 The Lord guards the inexperienced:
I was helpless and he saved me.”

When I read this, I feel so wrapped in the Fathers love because this is the character of the Lord. He is compassionate, His forgiveness spans the width of eternity, His grace covers us, and He saves the helpless. There is no way that we can earn it. Our Heavenly Father is just that good.

Reread Psalms 116, and I hope that you see it. The praise that we see within the Psalm is tied to his weakness, his utter need to depend on God. Our weakness makes God’s grace such great news.

We see this all throughout scripture. People who are in desperate need of God's grace then acknowledge their own weakness and trust in the Lord’s unfailing strength. It’s a tough task to accept that we can’t do things on our own but it's a beautiful picture of our need for the Lord. We need him on our greatest days just as much as we need him on our weakest ones.

Being weak is our greatest strength when it leads to desperate dependence on God. Being helpless is not hopeless when it leads us closer to the Lord. So whatever burdens are heavy on your heart this week, lay them at the feet of Jesus because when we are weak, He is strong.

WWE vs. NIV: Wrestling with God

When I was a kid I didn't want to be a cop, firefighter, or anything that kids really wanted to be at a young age. I wanted to be like Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, or Razor Ramon. I wanted to be a professional Wrestler! I would practice my skills I gained from watching these men on my dad and brother. I would lose every time! I never became a professional wrestler, or did I?

In scripture (Genesis 32:22-32) we see Jacob wrestling with God and as I've gotten older, I find myself wrestling with God all the time! Like Jacob, we too wrestle with decisions and, sometimes, even with God.

"God, why did you allow this to happen to me?" "God, why am I struggling so much with this issue?" We've all asked those questions at one point or another. While they are challenging, there is one thing that I do know, God will wrestle with us until He gets our full attention, no matter what it takes. Jacob learned that the hard way, and in fact was forced to limp around for the rest of his life as a reminder that his life was forever changed that night.

If you are wrestling with God today, just remember His record. I think it's something like a couple, maybe two three wins. I'm kidding. He has never lost, and He never will. So you might want to tap out and submit to Him. If you do that, He will take your circumstances and bless you in the way He sees fit which is always the best way. So, whatever it is you've been wrestling God with for days, months or even years, face the fact that He has already won and start following His plan for your life. In the end, you will see it is a whole lot easier than what you had planned. So just tap!

The Father's Embrace

Growing up in my family we gave a hug with every goodbye. You didn’t think about it. You just did it. For some forgotten reason my dad gave me a ride to school one day in Jr. High. As we pulled up to the school, I saw the friends I usually walked with waiting for me. Instead of giving my dad his quick hug, I just scooped up my books and got out of the car.

Like a moment frozen in time, I have never forgot the look on my dad’s face. He was turned slightly towards me with his arms open waiting for my embrace that never came.

I wonder how many times our Heavenly Father waits with His arms open expecting our embrace. How often do we turn from Him because we worry what the world may think? Isaiah 40:11 reminds us,

He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.

Our Lord wants to hold us in His arms. That’s where we belong. Don’t deny your Father the embrace we all need!

God's Poem

When God saves us by His grace, we begin to get a picture of God’s design for our lives. Long before we were born God was at work. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) reminds us,

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

You were created for good works. That is part of your purpose. God has fashioned you for this and made preparation far in advance. The Greek word for workmanship in Ephesians 2:10 is “poema”. It’s where we get our English word “poem”. You can think about it this way.

You are God’s Poem. Penned by God long ago. Now, a poem is fashioned with great care, detail, and creativity. A poem reflects the author. A poem is meant to be read by others. How does your Poem read? Are people better for reading the Poem of your life? We get into trouble when we try to write our story alone, on our own, apart from God. When we step into the story God started for us long ago something amazing happens. We begin to live with a destiny and a reverence for life that can hardly be expressed with words. When people read our Poem, they are better for it. It nourishes their souls and points them to the Author because that is what God purposed it to do.

If your Poem has some rough patches and you’ve been trying to write the story alone, don’t fret. Your story isn’t finished yet. Just hand the pen back to the Author, your Creator, your God. I can’t say how every detail of your poem will read, but I happen to know the Author. He tends to throw a few twists and turns in there. He keeps us on our toes. He captures the heart. The stories He tells change lives, and He will always finish the stories that He starts. When they are finished, they are beautiful.

Today make sure you…

1. Have received the free gift of salvation in Jesus.
2. Are walking in the good works God prepared for you.
3. Always let God hold the pen that’s writing your story.