An Ambiguious Man
James 1:7 “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
Some people trust in the Lord to help them save themselves. ”Lord, help me out here,” such a person prays. “I can do it, but I need a little push.” They trust the Lord, but not completely. They still keep other options open.
We’ve all heard the old saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” While the sentiments behind this whimsical adage are admirable, the saying itself is quite untrue.
Yes, it is true that a person shouldn’t sit around aimlessly all day just expecting God to do this or that for them, while they themselves do nothing. But the adage errs significantly by failing to realize that God in fact does not help those who help themselves; rather, He helps the helpless.
He is the Defender of the defenseless; He rescues the perishing, saves those who are falling, and lifts ups those who have been struck down. He is a Father to the orphan, a Friend to sinners, and the Champion of those who are weak. Indeed, Paul summed it up in Rom 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” It actually means; when we were helpless.
The problem with “helping yourself” and asking God for a little assistance is that you’re the one still calling the shots, you are keeping all your options open. Jas 1:8 says: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Few things are more insulting to God than for a man to come before Him while holding onto other options…just in case the “God thing” doesn’t work out. In Jas 1:6 we read: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
Remember when Peter walked on the water? The moment fear overcame him and he began sinking, he cried, “Lord save me!” To help you feel the force of his prayer, think of it this way — He did not say, “Lord, help me.” He was not at all ambiguious in that moment. Mat 14:30 “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”
Or, how about Lazarus, the dead man? He had no options whatsoever. Jesus stood before the cold stone which sealed his tomb and ordered it removed, and then called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” And the dead man did so, now fully alive. Joh 11:43 & 44 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” A significant part of this event is contained in the name Lazarus — it means “without help.” You see? God helps the helpless.
Like Peter sinking in the sea, or Lazarus of old lying cold in his tomb, you and I will never be called into a new and deeper, more vibrant and wondrous walk with Jesus until we realize we truly have no other options but God.
The ambiguious double minded man will swim in his own power and eventually his strength will fail and he will go under. But the man and woman of faith will walk on the water in fellowship with Jesus.
It is all about a choice, a decision. Look at Abram and Lot. We read in
Gen 3:8 – 11 “And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.”
Let us look at the choice that Lot made, his decision. He was a man with sheep, goats and cattle. He had people working for his, people that he had a responsibility to look after. He looked out over the plains of the river Jordan and sees everything he needed to be successful. Water and fodder for his animals, two cities as market places for his products, many people to buy his products, safe accommodation in the cities for him and those with him. He chooses – the plains of the river Jordan! Was this choice that he made a good decision? Yes it was. Was it the correct economic choice? Absolutely! Was it the correct choice from a safety point? For sure! Lot was convinced that he made the right choice and decision and enter the valley, as a wealthy man.
The question is however: Was it God’s choice? Was it God’s decision? No!! That is why Lot lost all that he had and escaped only with his two daughters when the wrath of God came over the cities.
My dear friend, lay down your choices and decisions before God. Ask Him for His choice. Appear before Him, your ABBA Father, and you as His child and ask His help.
“ABBA Father, I appear before you as Your child. I lay before You all my decisions and choices and submit them unto You. Forgive me for all hidden agendas that I had. Father please help me and show me Your plans. Help me through the Holy Spirit to follow Your plan. This I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.”