Topic: Seeking The Help of Others
Text: 1 Samuel 20
Key Verse: “Tell me what I can do to help you,” Jonathan exclaimed. 1 Samuel 20:4(NLT)
At different seasons of life, we face problems even though we are doing the right things. Sometimes, we are persecuted because of God’s call on our lives or because of our devotion to the Lord. Even when our problems stem from ignorance or mistakes, God always positions people to support, encourage, or counsel us. (Acts 9:10-18) We have a responsibility to identify and seek them out, knowing that this is a biblical principle.
David already had a covenant relationship with Jonathan before his problem with Saul started, so it was easy for him to run to him when Saul threatened his life. We must fight the habit of being a lone ranger, living without friends. Friends provide a good source of counsel if they have the same values as we do. But when we are unequally yoked with unbelievers, the counsel they provide leads us away from the Lord’s will, as happened to Ammon. (2 Samuel 13:1-19)
Good judgment is the result of knowledge, and sometimes, the problems we face are beyond our understanding. We need the help of older or wiser believers as mentors, pastors, professional counsellors and mental health or medical experts.. But we must always align the suggestions with biblical principles to ensure that we are not only receiving practical advice but also staying spiritually grounded. Many believers are unwilling to share their problems with anyone for several reasons listed below. Still, God has blessed the church to support each other through intercession and the provision of material solutions. Acts 4: 23-31, Galatians 6:2
APPLICATIONS
Which of these statements holds you back from getting help from people?
- I don’t want to bother other people with my problems.
- It is a sign of weakness to ask for help.
- It is embarrassing to let someone else know that I have a problem.
- I don’t share my problems because people have enough of their troubles to worry about.
- I’ve learned that you can’t trust others with your problems.
Compare with these statements.
- Jesus asked for help from others. Matthew 26:37-38, Mark 11:1-6, Luke 5:1-3.
- I have received help with problems from Christian friends. Luke 11:5- 8
- I have often helped my friends with their problems. Acts 9:22-25
- It is a privilege to share prayer burdens with brothers and sisters in Christ. Acts 12:1-12
- Everyone has problems, so it’s no disgrace to admit that I need help with a problem. Galatians 6:1
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I will do my best to seek help from others
Thank you for sharing, Pastor Ada. It is wise to ask for help from others. When Moses was overwhelmed with counseling, his father-in-law in wisdom guided him to delegate (to ask for help from others). It is perhaps a sign of pride to think of oneself as all-sufficient. We are not God. God, who is all sufficient, created other beings and humans to have interactions and fellowship with. Fellowship involves giving and receiving. We need to know how to do both.