God Helps the Helpless

March 9

God gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
—1 Peter 5:5

The world says, "God helps those who help themselves." That statement is totally unscriptural. In some matters we do help ourselves: God won't send an angel to clean our cars and houses for instance. We need to be in charge of that. We also need to go out and look for a job to earn our own living. God gives uswisdom and strength, but we need to use our own arm of the flesh in these matters.

Saying that God helps those who help themselves is not only unscriptural, but misleading. This statement tends to make people feel as though they need to do all they possibly can for themselves before ever asking God to help. No wonder it is a "worldly statement" frequently accepted as Scripture.

Satan, the god of this world's system (See 2 Corinthians 4:4) would like nothing better than for us to believe that lie and spend our lives in frustration trying to take care of ourselves rather than leaning on God.

God does not help those who help themselves. Rather, He helps those who know they cannot help themselves, those who realize they are totally dependent upon Him for their deliverance.


From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer.