Sunday, September 11, 2022

Orange Moon Sunday, September 11, 2022 “Helping Ourselves?”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

    

               "Helping Ourselves?"


     The old axiom - "God helps those who help themselves" - does not align with Scripture.

   "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help" (Psalm 121:1). 
   "Vain is the help of man" (Psalm 60:11).

   This being true, we can understand why the axiom might be appealing to those who accuse believers of using faith in God as a way to escape personal responsibility.  We have all likely known people who have committed such an error, distorting and misrepresenting the truth by failure to arise and walk in the Heavenly reality that results in a life of fulfilling earthly duties.  Of course, a genuine experience of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ rather leads its recipients into the greatest experience of responsibility imaginable.   

   "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).  

   Only by God's motivation, leading, and enabling - His help - can we begin to consistently live in a manner that honors Him.  Therefore, we might tweak the misleading adage mentioned, directing primary attention to our Lord's grace - and to our responsible availing ourselves of such provision:

   

    "God helps those who help themselves to His help."

    He does.  Our Lord made us to access His grace whereby we receive the Lord Jesus in the new birth, and then continue the reception as we seek to live for His glory.

    "Thou art my help" (Psalm 40:17).  
    "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).
    "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" (Colossians 2:6).

   Our Father privileges us to live this day - this moment - availing ourselves of His grace whereby we honor Him, even as He provides for us.  We greatly please Him thereby, helping ourselves by helping ourselves to His help.  A life of devotion to God and others ensues, and a heart filled with utmost personal responsibility, diligence, and benefit in both time and eternity.  "I will help thee" declare the Word of God and the Spirit of God (Psalm 41:10).  May we join the Psalmist in his trusting response…

 "Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice."
(Psalm 63:7)    

Weekly Memory Verse    
   "The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way."
(Psalm 25:9)
























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