Vain Help or Godly Help

By Beverly Rainwater

 "Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies." (Psalm 60: 11-12)

 Backsliding Israel always discovered that without God they didn’t fair well in this world. Even after turning their backs on God, they always ended up begging Him for help that only He could give them. 

 As Christians today, we must be sure to keep God in our lives in order to battle the things of the world.  We can only win the battles of life with God at our side.

 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24)

 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2)

 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.  (Gal. 1:10)

I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.(1 John 2:14-17). 

Our part of this equation is plain.  We must fight against the carnal things of the world.  We must keep hold of the things of Christ (II Cor. 10:3-5).  As Christians, we can do valiantly if we strive to put on the whole armour of God as we are instructed to do:

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17)

Being fully equipped with the armour of God is the only way we can withstand the cunning schemes of the devil. 

ISBS Ladies Daily Devotional
04/25/05