Help!
We all want God’s help, right? So when we don’t get it, what’s the deal? Well, here’s one main explanation from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel (yes, Ezekiel!).
In chapter 20 the elders of the people of Israel came to Ezekiel their prophet and asked him to ask God to help them. God’s response via Ezekiel was basically “Hey…not so fast. Where you been? I HAVE been trying to help you – for centuries actually. But what’s this? You typically don’t want anything to do with me but now that you’re in a pickle, you come to me for help?”
Sound familiar? People go about their business, doin’ life on their own, keeping God at arms length but then, when push comes to shove and they find themselves in a pickle (i.e. job loss, sickness, marital strife, parenting dilemmas), they run to God for help. And he doesn’t answer.
So here’s the deal…the real deal: God’s help and holiness are a package deal. Let me explain.
When I pray and God doesn’t answer my call it’s not because he doesn’t want to help, it’s because if I want his help I must want him also.
You see, God’s help and my holiness go hand in hand. I’m not talking about perfection in this life…there’s no chance of that this side of heaven. I’m talking about a sincere heart that’s seeking to do life God’s way. I’m talking about a heart that desires holy living, a heart that desires an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ (the One who made a way for us to get to God).
To put it bluntly, God doesn’t waste his time on people who don’t have time for him. Jesus said that God is looking for people who will worship him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23). In fact, he went on to say that the Father is actively seeking such people to worship him…not people who have a casual believe in him and no interest in following him. Did you catch that? He’s actively seeking to help those who are actively seeking him.
So there…I’ve said it. If you want God’s help, day in and day out, you must desire to follow him, day in a day out. Again, God’s not looking for perfection, he’s looking for sincerity. And when he finds it, the skies the limit to how much he’ll help you!
Jeremiah 29:11, 13, 14 (part) This is what the Lord says “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.