“- – we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper- – ” Heb. 13:6
There’s an old Honky-tonk song that says, “Need a little help? No help wanted. I can handle this job all by myself”. But, the fact of the matter is, that isn’t true! We all need help and not just “a little”. Forget all the talk about being “a self-made man”– that’s nonsense. There is no such thing. No one got where they are without help. From the cradle to the grave we need help, and thank God for the helpers! But we need more help than what man is able to provide. We need divine help–all the time.

God has imposed strict standards on man and given him responsibilities far beyond what he is able to do on his own. Perhaps you’ve never thought about it, but it is impossible to live the Christian life without God’s help. It takes a miracle. Jesus said, “ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”(Matt. 5:44). No one in their right mind would claim that he is able to do that without divine aid. Like I said,”It takes a miracle”.

Thankfully God has provided exactly what we need. He has made Himself available to assist us. Sad that so many fail to see this. They go through life living far beneath their privileges as a child of God. Having God as your Father is no minor matter. It makes all the difference in the world. It is no small thing to have such a big God, One who  “that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us,”(Eph. 3:20). Let us talk no more about the things we can’t do and burn these words on the walls of our mind–“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13). How about that?

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

In prayer we must approach God as a Father, ask of Him what we really need, and expect to receive according to His wisdom and word. Our wants are constantly returning, therefore our prayers should be constantly ascending. The ear of God is always open. He is ever ready to listen to us. He invites, exhorts, and commands us to pray always, in everything. Every object that meets the eye, every circumstance that occurs, every employment in which we engage, would afford matter for prayer if properly viewed. The believer should acquire the Habit of prayer. He should look up to his God for all he needs, through all he sees, whenever he has a moment to spare. The prayers of a Christian are pleasant to his God; He says, Let me hear thy voice, let me see thy countenance; for sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is comely. The believer should pray as naturally and as constantly as he breathes; for prayer is the breath of the soul. Beloved, if prayer dwindle into a mere duty, is but occasionally offered, or become burdensome, it is clear that you are in a most unhealthy state.

Through the skies when the thunder is hurl’d,
The child to its parent will flee;
Thus, amid the rebukes of the world,
I turn, O my Father, to Thee;
The spirit of prayer in Thy mercy impart,
And take up Thy constant abode in my heart. –By James Smith, 1846

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country– Proverbs 25:25

Nothing refreshes a thirsty person like a drink of cold water. The comparison is made between this delightful experience of receiving a cold drink in a time of great need and receiving good news from a far country. The gospel is indeed the message of good news and it refreshes the soul who is burdened with sin.

What good news to hear that Jesus is “the friend of sinners.” His enemies thought to condemn Him when they made that declaration but in fact they spoke the truth. Jesus, of course, did not approve of the sinner’s course of action or downplay the seriousness of their offense but He came to save them from their sin. It was not for the righteous that Jesus died but sinners. What hope! What cheering news!

The pain of a heart broken with a sense of sin is hard to bear. Under deep conviction a sinner may come near the point of feeling there is no hope. But to hear that Christ died for the ungodly, that it is not human works or merit that brings salvation but that it is all by grace through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ, is a message he is ready to receive with joy.

If you are thirsty, come and drink freely. Remember this good news of the gospel is from a far country — from heaven itself. You can rely on it. Embrace the good news and you will find refreshment that nothing else can bring.( Baptist Bible Hour)