I recently came across an article called “Top 101 Theological Questions In 2018 (According To Google).” There were some interesting questions on there that I wanted to answer. Today’s question is:

Can You Help Me, God? 

Reading this question hurts as I think about people in tough situations begging for God’s help. Those who searched this question probably felt like they had no place to turn but a Google search.

These individuals may not be aware that the Psalms are full of questions and longings just like this. Here are a few examples:

“My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD– how long? Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love” (Psalm 6:3-4).

“Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1).

“How long , O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1).

The biblical authors struggled with this same question. There were times when they longed for God to help them only to hear silence on the other end. We all experience times like these, where God feels distant and apathetic to our problems.

Two Sides to Every Story

To stop here, however, would only be half of the story. Notice how the verses above are towards the beginning of each psalm. Here is how each psalm ends:

“The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment” (Psalm 6:10).

“O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you strengthen your their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more” (Psalm 10:18).

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:5-6).

The biblical authors would also tell you that God was their strength and help in times of desperate need. “But that was back during Bible times,” you may interject. “What about today?”

Does God Still Help Us?

There are two primary ways God helps us today. The first is by meeting our biggest need: salvation through Jesus Christ.

You may have heard the phrase “God helps those who help themselves.” But I can assure you that you will not find that teaching in the Bible. Instead the opposite is true: God helps those who cannot help themselves.

The Apostle Peter understood this truth deeply:

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).

God has provided a way to be saved through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection but it must be on His terms. Then God will give you grace and you can cast your worries upon God, knowing that He deeply cares for you.

The Helper Within Us

For those who trust in Christ, God has also helped us in a glorious way:

He has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts.

God’s presence is always with us through the Holy Spirit. When the pain you are experiencing is too much to articulate, the Holy Spirit is there for you:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

And the Spirit helps you in many other ways as well. The Spirit brings assurance (Rom. 8:16), peace and joy (Rom. 14:17), hope (Rom. 15:13), spiritual understanding (1 Cor. 2:10-14), spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14), life (2 Cor. 3:6), freedom (2 Cor. 3:17-18), fellowship (2 Cor. 13:14), inner strength (Eph. 3:16), unity (Eph. 4:3), sanctification (2 Thess. 2:13) and renewal (Titus 3:5).

Yes, God is able and willing to help you. Seek Him with humility. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).