Accepting the Help of God

   “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.”  (John 1: 11)

   Have you ever tried to help someone who you knew desperately needed help, but were rejected?  This sometimes happens with those addicted to drugs or alcohol.  Family and friends do everything they can to convince them that they need help, but their efforts are turned away.  The person who most needs help is often the one most likely to turn away those who are trying to help.

   For generations God reached out to the Israelites to help them understand that without Him they were lost.  He sent prophets, priests, and kings to teach them and lead them; still they rejected God.  A people who had been saved many times by their God refused to accept Him.

   Finally, out of His great love, God sent His only Son to them.  Surely they would recognize Him and at last come to know their God.  All the prophets had foretold this, the evidence was in the Torah that was read in the temples.  Still, the people He came to save rejected Him, eventually nailing Him to a cross.

   God continues to reach out to His people, the people of the whole world.  He continues to love us and grant us great mercy and blessings.  We, like the Israelites, often reject Him.  There are some who follow, some who are faithful, just as there were in Jesus’ day, but they are far too few.  Most prefer earthly delights to heavenly promises, caring for the moment rather than eternity.

   Those who most need help are the ones who most often reject it.  Pride, selfishness, and Satan tells them they don’t need help, they can do it on their own.  Sadly, it is a lie.

We think we can do it.

It is a lie.

We need Your help.

We must come to You.

Amen