Morning By Morning #169

Help, LORD.

Psalm 12:1

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

This prayer itself is quite remarkable, for it is short, but timely, sincere, and typical of David. He was grieved over the lack of faithful people, so he lifted up his heart in earnest prayer. When the creature failed, David went immediately to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness or he would not have cried out for help. Yet at the same time he still intended to be actively involved for the cause of truth, for the word help makes no sense if we do nothing.

These two simple words of David’s prayer are direct, clear, and distinct, much more so, in fact, than the long rambling outpourings of many professing Christians. The psalmist runs straight to his God with a well-considered prayer. He knows what he is seeking and where to find it.

Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.

There are frequent occasions for using this prayer, such as providential trials and afflictions where believers find all their helpers have abandoned them. Students of the Bible who encounter a difficult passage may often obtain help by lifting up the cry, “Help, Lord,” to the Holy Spirit of Christ, the great Teacher. Believers in inner spiritual warfare may go to God’s throne for reinforcements, and this simple prayer can be a pattern for their requests. God’s people who are involved in strenuous work may use this prayer to “find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16). And sinners who are seeking help with doubts and fears may offer up the same compelling prayer. In all of these cases, at all times, and in all places, this little prayer will serve needy souls.

“Help, Lord” serves the living and the dying, the unemployed or the working, the rejoicing or the sorrowing. Our help is found in Him, so may we not be slow to cry out to Him.

The answer to the prayer is certain if it is sincerely offered through Jesus, for the Lord’s very character assures us He will not forsake His people. His relationship to us as Father and Husband guarantees us His help, just as His gift of Jesus is a pledge of “every good thing” (Philem. 6). And His unwavering promise still stands:

“Do not fear; I will help you” (Isa. 41:13).

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

When a Canaanite woman with a demonpossessed daughter came face-to-face with Jesus, her first words were, “Lord, help me!” (Matt. 15:25). Although she was a Gentile, and Jesus’ disciples wanted her sent away, the Lord answered her prayer because of her faith.

“Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matt. 15:28). As Spurgeon says today, “The answer to the prayer is certain if it is sincerely offered through Jesus, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).

Yet our prayers must not only be offered by faith through Jesus but must also be within His will. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

“Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior” (Ps. 38:22).