“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20
My 3-year-old son, Isaac, just got his first bike, complete with very cool training wheels. As I stood watching him ride the other evening, he got himself jammed between the house and a patio chair. Frustration set in and he soon began crying profusely. I expected him to simply say, “Help Dada!”, but it didn’t even occur to him until I made the offer. Then he begged me for assistance.
Help! It’s such a simple word, but it can be so hard to say.
Today’s verse declares patient trust in the help and protection of “The Lord Our Help (Yahweh Ezer).” But three things hold us back from trusting God like that:
- It’s hard to admit we’re helpless. We have an independent streak that runs really deep. Sometimes we’d rather struggle with something on our own than ask for help and look weak. We stumble along, forgetting that we can’t become one bit more like Jesus without His power.
- It’s hard to wait. Sometimes we’d rather have our own half-baked solution immediately than wait for God to intervene in His timing. But choosing to wait means we’re trusting that God really does have good plans for us.
- It’s hard to put down our shield. When we’re busy defending ourselves and venting about the injustices we’ve received, we’re not ready to let God work things out. When we drop our guard we can see His protection.
It only takes two simple words to overcome these obstacles. Will you pray them right now?
Help Dada!
Take Action
Using your fingers, count out the issues you feel helpless about. Then extend your hand toward heaven and simply say, “Help Dada!”
Read: Become More Like a Toddler