I’ve enjoyed a great deal of help in my life—parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, mentors, bosses, co-workers, spouse, authors dead and alive, pastors, friends, and on and on. It’s humbling to think back on the many people who’ve been a source of encouragement, learning and growth.

Each one of us tells a similar story. It’s good to remember that all the hands-up we receive in life originate in the Lord. David wrote: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

You and I can personalize this in our own way—My help is in the name of the Lord.

My help as I rise in the morning.

My help in my marriage.

My help in my family.

My help in my relationships, both easy and challenging.

My help in my career.

My help in my finances.

My help in encouraging others to walk with the Lord.

My help in eating right.

My help in exercise.

My help in turning off and avoiding social media.

My help in navigating my news feed.

My help in loving those who appear unlovable.

My help in the day-to-day.

My help when my head hits the pillow.

Pause a moment and ponder—who is the source of my help? My help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124

Photo by Claudio Schwarz

Our world reveres powerful people, be they politicians or business leaders or social media influencers. Powerful people love the limelight, traveling constantly to promote their cause and sell their products. Powerful people exude wealth, health and vibrancy. Given the choice, I’d cosy up to powerful people.

But the Scriptures share a different perspective: Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.

Why not?

Three reasons come to mind. First, in my experience, unless you have something to offer, powerful people don’t care much about you. They may say they do, but powerful people run with other powerful people. Those of us a few rungs down aren’t so interesting.

Second, powerful people eventually lose power. Then your investment is lost. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. The powerful pass on and their authority disburses. How influential are the presidents and leaders of only a few years ago? Faded from the collective conscience, they contribute little to the fervor of today.

Third, only the Lord holds life-changing power. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous…the Lord will reign forever.

I’m a prisoner who needs set free. I’m blind and need to see. I’m bowed down and need help getting up. The Lord cares for you and me without concern for social position or wealth or strength. I can let powerful people do their thing, and instead cosy up to the one who will reign forever.

Psalm 146

Photo by Library of Congress of Grover Cleveland, 22nd & 24th President of the United States, and at one time the most powerful person in America—remember him?

Yesterday my doorbell rang. Waiting outside was a friendly young lady hoping to sell me on solar. I listened politely but turned down the offer. I appreciate her doing her job, but I wished I hadn’t opened my door for a sales pitch.

Most often these days the person at my door wants to sell me something. Solar panels, faster internet, lawn services. The one group I loved to find knocking doesn’t sell cookies door-to-door in our neighborhood anymore. Such a pity.

Door knocks happened in the ancient world as well. After a miraculous escape from prison, Peter headed to a home where he knew other disciples of Jesus were gathered. He rapped on the locked door.

When he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.

Thinking Rhoda was out of her mind, or struck by an angel, the disciples hesitated. But when they finally opened the door, they saw Peter and were amazed.

Like the disciples, I hesitate to open the door of my life. Peter knocked, Jesus stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20), the King of Glory knocks (Psalm 24:7). It seems the Lord knocks regularly, but I pause on the other side.

I keep my door closed at home because I want to avoid of the hassle of a salesperson. But the Lord knocks with good news. Is there an opportunity you’re mulling over? Something that feels hopeful yet uncertain? Pray and seek God’s wisdom. It’s more likely cookies than a sales pitch waiting for your attention.

Perhaps today is a good time to open the door to our amazing God.

Acts 12:12-17

Photo by Sizel C

I’m pretty good at holding my tongue. But sometimes even as I’m telling myself, don’t say it, don’t say it, the words burst out on their own. After a few minutes I realize, I shouldn’t have said it.

David failed at similar efforts. He said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.

Instead of those around him, however, David’s discontent targeted the Lord. He wrote, “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

As David moved through the challenges of life, he burned at the brevity of his existence. In his distress he described his life as a few handbreadths, like nothing, and a shadow. David compared the Lord to an army of moths eating holes through his closet of achievements. Life is a whisper.

David questioned the measure of his days and the value of his existence. But even from his dark places he returned to the light. In his anguish he never let go of the Lord: And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Life is indeed short. The years go faster than ever, and on dark days I lean towards despair. But hope does exist. In one person. Wait for the Lord. Be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord. And since life is brief, we’ll see him soon enough.

Psalm 39

Photo by Dominik Francis