HELP, LORD
“Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” Psalm 12:1
David begins his sentence with a two word plea that we all can relate to, “Help, LORD.” It is a prayer that most of us have uttered and is repeated in some form many times in the pages of Scripture. David knew Who to turn to with his need. These two words express the simplicity, and yet power, of sincere prayer. Who do we turn to in our time of desperation? We should turn to the Lord. This is our privilege and even our duty. God wants us to look to Him. He wants us to trust in Him. He wants to be our Helper.
We all know the challenge or grief that comes from being in desperate situations. It may be an emotional struggle that we are going through, a health concern, a formidable spiritual attack, some dire financial need, a relationship that needs divine intervention, or any other type of problem. Whatever the case may be, God wants to help us; He wants us to cry out to Him. This is our privilege as the children of Almighty God.
When Jesus was preparing His disciples for the moment He would leave them, He comforted them with words about the reality of prayer. Jesus had been with them constantly, helping them, providing for them, comforting them, and guiding them. What would they do in His absence? How would they manage? Who would help them after He returned to Heaven? Jesus said to them, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23, 24). God wants to hear from us, and He is ready to help us in our time of need.
A great crisis in David’s day provoked his desperate plea. He was burdened because “the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” There was an urgent need for divine intervention because of the failure among God’s men. Could the same not be said of our generation? We desperately need God’s help. These are perilous times, and we witness the loss or absence of godly, faithful leaders. We thank God for those who are and remain true to the Savior, the cause, and the Word of God, but the need is paramount. May the critical need motivate us to cry out to God for His help.