Where do you turn first when you’re in trouble?
The lesson of King Ahaziah
2 Ahaziah (king of Israel) had fallen through the latticed window of his upper room in Samaria and was injured. So he sent messengers instructing them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, if I will recover from this injury.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’” (2 Ki 1:2-3)
King Ahaziah is injured after a bad fall through a window and instead of turning to the One True God who had saved his people countless times, he sends messengers to inquire of the false god, Baal-zebub, to ask if he would recover.
The temptation of worldly help
Everybody needs some guidance, help, or advice in life at some point. The sad reality is that many believers often look everywhere except to God. They might turn to secular counselors, self-help books, life coaches, idols like money, non-believers, Oprah-like celebrities, or even themselves and never seek the Lord at all! Even worse, some believers visit psychics who are either frauds or demon-possessed people who ‘defile’ you (Lev 19:31).
Look at what God said to Israel about seeking their help from man instead of God:
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the abundance of chariots and in the large number of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel and they do not seek the Lord’s help. 2 But He also is wise and brings disaster. He does not go back on what He says; He will rise up against the house of wicked men and against the allies of evildoers. 3 Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the Lord raises His hand to strike, the helper will stumble and the one who is helped will fall; both will perish together. (Isa 31:1-3)
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you should be turning to the Lord God first whenever you need help.
6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Ps 20:6-7 – ESV)
Think about it
Where do you turn first when you need help? Do you turn to God, false gods, worldly resources or people, yourself, or something else for help? If it isn’t to the Lord, what does that tell you about yourself and your faith / relationship with God?
Which issues don’t you bring to Him first? Why not? Where do you go for help instead? Should you?
Do you ever seek help from worldly sources instead of God? Do you think that could be dangerous?
Do you weigh ALL counsel from people against Scripture and pray about it to ensure it is good?
How would God finish this question to you: “Is there no God in Heaven that you seek help from _______?”
6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Php 4:6)
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Ps 55:22)
I call on You in the day of my distress, for You will answer me. (Ps 86:7)
Call on Me in a day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me. (Ps 50:15)
Do you turn to God or somewhere else when you need help?
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 