Look to God

STORY: Little Helpers

Some of my favorite helpers are little helpers. Young ones who want to feel grown up by assisting an adult with a chore or task. They make great gofers. Go for this, go for that! I remember when I was a little girl, helping my grandma wash dishes. She was so patient, and let me stand on a stool or chair to help her at the sink!

There are times when a little helper is little help. But when our big God is the helper, we’re in good hands. As I’ve been doing this study on God as helper, it dawned on me‑I should be God’s helper, not him helping little ol’ me. But then again. He’s God. He doesn’t need any help! Still, it is humbling to think that God in his God-ness is willing to help and not merely sit on his throne.

STUDY: Help from Psalms

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. (Psalm 34:5 NLT)

• What happens to those who look to God for help? Why do you think that is?
• Do you have any thoughts why it’s important to mention “no shadow of shame darkens their faces” when they do that?

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. (Psalm 34:15 NLT)

• How does it feel to know the Lord sees you and he hears you?
• How do you think your cries for help make God feel?

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. (Psalm 37:5 NLT)

• What are two action steps to take when we need God’s help?
• Have there been times you committed all to God and trusted him, but didn’t receive his help? What does that mean? Did help come in a way different than you expected? Did you sense God’s presence despite your prayer for a certain type of help not being answered?

Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior. (Psalm 38:22 NLT)

• Is there ever a time we need help that we want it to come slowly? No! We are an impatient people.
• David prayed the prayer in this psalm. He shows us how to pray a fast prayer for help. These are sometimes called arrow prayers because they are short and take us straight to God. What arrow prayer are you praying right now?

Rise up! Help us! Ransom us because of your unfailing love. (Psalm 44:26 NLT)

• Have you ever asked God to get busy working to help you?
• What does it mean for God to ransom you?
• What motivates God to help us with his ransom?

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! (Psalm 56:9 NLT)

• Who are your enemies right now? Why might they retreat from harming you when you call on God for help?
• What comfort does it give you, too know God is on your side?

With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. (Psalm 60:12 NLT)

• What does God’s help allow you to do?
• When you don’t have foes messing with you, does that help you do mighty things? What if those foes are internal, not external?

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. (Psalm 69:32 NLT)

• How is it encouraging to you, when you see God at work helping you?
• What does humility have to do with this?

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:14 NLT)

• When you need help, sometimes hoping in and praising God is the last thing you feel like doing. What happens when you do it anyway?
• When you see the phrase “keep on,” what does it stir up inside of you?

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. (Psalm 86:5 NLT)

Help me, O Lord my God! Save me because of your unfailing love. (Psalm 109:26 NLT)

• Look at the three “so ___” phrases. What are they? How does that help you view God?
• Both of these passages talk about God’s unfailing love. How do you think that motivates him to help you more? How much do you want to help someone in their time of need if you have unfailing love for them?
• God is all this for those who ask for his help. Think of something you tried to handle yourself, without God’s help. How did that turn out?

Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O Lord, help and comfort me. (Psalm 86:17 NLT)

• Have you ever wanted a sign that God was there for you?
• David had some serious enemies, and God did put them to shame. When you hear how God worked in the lives of others, how does that help to comfort you during your distress?

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. (Psalm 146:5 NLT)

• When you realize you have the God of all the universe as your personal helper, how does that make you feel?
• How does that help you put your hope in God and make him Lord over your life?

STEPS: Look Where You Step

1. Look to God for help. Don’t be worried about asking him to come to your aid.
2. Look for ways to show God you trust him. What step of faith can you take today?
3. Look for signs of God at work. When you see his actions you have reasons for gladness.

Copyright © 2020 Kathy Carlton Willis, used with permission.