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Knowing when to let go
The limitations of human life make it practically impossible for us to do everything on our own. In other words, our human limitation inhibits our ability to do certain things for ourselves. Understanding and accepting this reality will save us from a lot of troubles in life. We must know when we are able to carry our owns burdens and when we cannot bear the struggles by ourselves. The moment we notice that we cannot bear the weight, our only duty is to allow God to carry the burden for us to avoid being crashed by it. In other words, we must recognize that there are situations that would require us to pursue the help of God if we are to press on in life to victory. We cannot rely solely on our human efforts or strength to accomplish our dreams and discount the help of God in our lives.
If not God, who?
And he said, “If the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you? From the threshing floor or from the winepress?” Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you?”
2 King 6:27 (New King James Version)
A woman went to the king of Israel to present her case. The king’s response to the woman was very profound. He said, “if the LORD does not help you, where can I find help for you?” This response indicates that sometimes if God does not help us, no one else can. As believers, it will be an exercise in futility to trust in men for the help only God provides. Therefore, the earlier we realize that we need the help of God, the better it may be for us. God is always in position and determined to help us if we acknowledge our need for His help and ask.
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!
Isaiah 31:1 (New King James Version)
The children of Israel believed that Egypt had the military power to help them. Isaiah pointed out the misery that awaited them for trusting in the military power of Egypt instead of seeking the help of God. In life, there will always be the temptation to seek the help of men. But we must overcome that temptation, keeping in mind that God is the only One who truly can help us. Having this consciousness can change our perspective about life completely. When we fail to realize this in life, we expose ourselves to unnecessary disappointments in the end.
Your strength counts for little
Thus says the LORD:“Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength,Whose heart departs from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5 (New King James Version)
We must keep in mind that we cannot discount the significance of our strength and capabilities in the pursuit of our life’s goals. Our abilities or talents have a role to play in the pursuit of our goals in life. However, we must be mindful not to put our trust in ourselves. God is our creator! Therefore, it makes more sense to trust in the One who created and endowed us with capabilities. Instead of just trusting in our own strength. This is why the Scripture says, “For by strength no man shall prevail.” 11 Samuel 2:9, NKJV. We are warned not to trust and depend on our strength and capabilities in our attempt to achieve our goals in life. Rather, we are to put our trust in God. Our strength and capabilities will only become meaningful when God is our help.
…for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (New King James Version)
This is one of the most profound statements by Jesus. Surprisingly, no one has ever had the courage to challenge this claim. In other words, this claim has persisted since they were uttered by Jesus. Therefore, it will be in our interest to come to a place of acceptance of this truth by Jesus. However, failing to receive this truth will only be to our disadvantage in life. This is because we will attempt to do things in life without Him.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (New King James Version)
Jesus is inviting us to come to Him when the burdens of our lives become unbearable for us. His invitation to us shows his willingness to help us deal with the struggles of our lives. Do we have the courage to accept? If we do, we will assign Him the responsibility of carrying the burdens of our lives with us. If we don’t, we will go on carrying it by ourselves till we are totally broken.
Be desperate for the help of God
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1- 8 (New King James Version)
Jesus used the account above to illustrate the need for us to be unrelenting in our pursuit of God’s help. The woman went to the judge to seek justice on a matter. For some reasons, the judge would not listen to the woman. However, the woman was never discouraged. She acknowledged that she needed the help of the judge and therefore could not give up. As a result, she kept going to the judge on the same matter until the judge finally decided to help her by delivering the justice that she had wanted. She showed a great desire for the help of the Judge. In the same vein, as believers, we must show a great need for the help of God and constantly pursue it if we are to secure it. God would not ordinarily help us because we simply need it. We may need to justify why we need it, and this will be seen in the seriousness we attach to getting the help of God. The truth is that God will not commit to us if He does not see our sincerity. Even as humans, we are always delighted to help people who are serious and we neglect the unserious ones.
Concluding remarks
As believers, we must admit that we cannot do it all by ourselves, keeping in mind of our human limitations. This should make us appreciate the grace of God to help us achieve our life’s purpose. This is why Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 2Philippians 4:13, NKJV. We must trust God when He says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 3Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV. However, when we fail to trust and depend on God, our failures and defeats in life becomes inevitable or, perhaps, perpetual.
Let’s keep the fire burning until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
References
- 11 Samuel 2:9, NKJV
- 2Philippians 4:13, NKJV
- 3Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV