Deliverer

I'm not the greatest when it come to asking for help.

Pretty terrible at it, actually.

You know, something I've been thinking about lately is how often we don't just ask God for help the first time we know we need it. I don't know about you, but when I'm either in trouble, or stuck, whatever, I try to fix the problem on my own before working up the ladder of those who can help, and usually, God is my last resort. It so goes against my grain to ask for help when I need it.


When I've got a problem, it usually goes something like this:

I have a problem (big, small, whatever).
I try to fix it on my own -- fail.
I try other people -- problem either gets worse or more complicated because now I have other opinions to weigh in my head.
I try on my own again -- double fail.
Over-analyzation = frustration.
Turn anthill into mountain.
Rant and rage and holler and curse.

...I (finally) try God -- win.
Duh.

Maybe it's a pride thing.


Why don't I ever just go to the source of authority when I need it, instead of trying it all my own way?
Because I'm human, and proud, and ashamed to ask for help, even for the simplest of problems. Rah.


What prompted this post was something I read in 1 Kings 1:29-30a tonight.

"The king then took an oath: 'As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel....'"

Often, the verses that jump out at me are verses like these, that don't really have a whole paragraph dedicated to the few words that came to my attention. 

"Who has delivered me out of every trouble...."

The story here is old king David promising Bathsheba that he will keep the oath he made in swearing that Solomon would become king in his place. 

Now, let's face it.  David may have been a man after God's heart, but he was no angel (and even angels fall).  But every single circumstance he went through, God was there to deliver him, to see him through.  How many countless times has David's life been spared by God's grace?  Even though David sinned, God was still his deliverer.

David wasn't perfect.  I don't care how many people use him as an example of how we should be, praising God, trusting in Him, etc.  David was so human.  He sinned.  But he sought forgiveness and deliverance.

God promises deliverance to those who ask Him.

Psalm 72:12-14
"For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.  He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.  He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight."

Psalm 3:8
"From the LORD comes deliverance."

2 Corinthians 1:10-11a
"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us.  On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers."

Even Jesus, in giving us the LORD's prayer, tells us to ask God "to deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13).

Matthew 7:7-11
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Which of you, if his sons asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"

James 5:13
"Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray."

God wants us to ask Him.  He knows how to help us, what we need to be delivered from whatever circumstance we're in.  And He is so willing. 

God promises His deliverance.  All we have to do is ask. 

How amazing is that?  It's so simple.