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Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-5

Do You Really Want God's Help?

Intro.

1.  Jesus expressed the Almighty’s desire to help us – to give us what we truly need. God wants to help! Matt 11:28-30

2.  Psa 145:17-21: David praises God for His greatness and for the abiding care He gives His faithful ones.

 

I. GOD WANTS TO HELP YOU…

  A.  Be Saved from Your Sins, 145:17-18 (1 Tim 2:3-4).

    1.  God’s great mercy, love and grace, Psa 145:8-9 (Eph 2:4-5).

    2.  Do you know the danger you are in? Acts 16:27-30

  B.  Be Happy in your Life, 145:19 (16).

    1.  Godly desires (cf. 1 Pet 3:10-12).

    2.  God is the Provider of all good things! Psa 145:14-16

    3.  Happy because God is our Helper! Psa 146:5

  C.  Be Sustained in (make it through) Times of Trouble, 145:19-20; Psa 50:15; 46:1.

    1.  Concentrate on solutions (trusts in God) not problems (leads to self-pity, etc.)

    2.  Concentrate on your present work and purpose, not the past trial or the potential of future trouble, since both of these are out of your hands, Matt 6:27, 33-34.

      a.  Apostles beaten: (Past, Acts 5:40)…Future (Acts 5:40, 42)…Present (Acts 5:41).

      b.  Harassed for your faith? cf. Matt 5:10-12; Paul and Silas: Past (Acts 16:22-25)…Future (35-37)…Present (26-34).

      c.  Lost your job? Past…Future…Present, Matt 6:31-34; Psa 37:25.

      d.  Battling illness? Past…Future…Present, cf. 2 Kgs 6:14-17.

 

II. TO BE HELPED BY GOD WE MUST…

  A.  Call upon Him (145:18) (Ask for God’s help!).

    1.  In truth (in harmony with truth).

      a.  Prayer for the Christian, cf. Psa 55:16; Acts 1:14; 4:23-24; 12:5; 8:22-24; 1 Jno 1:9.

      b.  Prayer is not the starting point if you are not a Christian, 1 Pet 3:12.

    2.  Keep perspective, cf. Eccl 5:2. (How small things are from space; flight across the country); cf. 1 Pet 5:7 Our “big” concerns in truth are often quite “small” – we must see that God is able to help even when we think our problem is too big to change!

  B.  Reverence Him, Psa 145:19; Psa 111:9; 89:7.

    1.  Honor Him in worship, Psa 145:1-3 (Jno 4:24; Heb 13:15).

    2.  Honor Him in words, Psa 19:14.

      a.  Thanksgiving (gratitude, 145:21), Col 3:15.

      b.  Where there is thankfulness there is peace and joy.

  C.  Love Him (145:20).

    1.  God helps us, not because we are lovable; He loves us in spite of ourselves!

    2.  God is completely lovable! (“God is love”, 1 Jno 4:8); we have every reason to love Him.

    3.  We love God by submissively obeying Him, Jno 14:15.

 

III.   THE RESULT OF OBTAINING GOD’S HELP, 145:21.

  A.  Speak God’s Praise to Others, 145:21.

    1.  Teach God’s will to others, Psa 145:5-7, 10-13 (51:12-13).

    2.  Influence the people around you, Matt 5:16.

  B.  Be Faithful and Avoid Wickedness, 145:20.

    1.  Faithfulness honors Christ, cf. Jno 20:28-29.

    2.  Faithful and wise servant is blessed, Matt 24:45-51.

 

Conclusion

1.  Going to God for His help requires faith (1 Jno 5:4).

2.  The arm of flesh will fail you, but the Lord will always help you! Psa 146:3-9

3.  “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jno 6:68)