A Helping Hand

‘Then Elisha told the king of Israel to put his hand on the bow, and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands’ 2 Kings 13:16.

One of the ways God works with us to break barriers in our lives is that He sends us helpers. One of the things Jesus said the Holy Spirit will be to us is our Helper. Without exception, everybody needs a helper. From today’s reading, God sent a helping hand to the King in the person of Elisha. When Elisha placed his hand upon the kings’, the king became empowered. Yet for every help God sends, He alone decides the function of the helper and how long the helper will stay. It is important to know that even as helpers come, helpers must also exit our lives. So that God can take us to another level. Elijah had survived a phase of the famine in the land by being nourished from the brook of Cherith and getting food from the ravens, as God had commanded. However, after a while the brook dried up. If Elijah had insisted on dwelling by the brook, having become familiar with this lifeline from God and had not obeyed the new command to move out to the land of Zarephath, he would have died [1Kings 17: 1-7]. It is important to be sensitive to seasons in our lives, so we do not ignorantly hold on to helpers whose time of assistance has expired in our lives. Though God uses men, it is of utmost importance not to make any man your source. We must always strive to remember that help ultimately comes from God (Ps.121:1-2). ‘In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the Name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. May He send you help from His sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. May He grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed’ Ps.20:1–4. It is impossible to trust man and trust God at the same time. Such a scenario is likened to when a man uses one of his eyes to look up while simultaneously using his other eye to look down. This is an impossible action. Placing trust in men brings curses into our lives, while those who trust in the Lord are blessed [Jer.17:5–8].

Prayer: Lord, I ask that You will link me to my helpers today. May I never be desolate of helpers and may I never hold on to helpers longer than Your plan for my life, in Jesus Name.