Desperate for God

Help me God!... Are you listening? Can you hear me? Please God! I beg you! I need your help. Have you ever said words similar to those? I'm sure you have. We all have, regardless of what religion or belief you side with. But there is only one God who can answer us; his name is Jesus; and he wants to help more then you realize. But, he is also waiting for people to see if they're really serious. God is not being mean, however he's neither a fool.

Many people often want help, but once back on their feet they're off doing their own thing again. They're not interested in a commitment or a relationship with their benefactor—which is what God wants. However, the Lord still has helped them at times even though most don't realize it—just because he's a loving Father. But he wants to be more than just a helping hand. And for some other people it is often their pride keeps them from asking or receiving help.

People all over the world have been caught in predicaments, a situations, in illnesses, accidents or disasters, where they need help. Where's that person, that friend when you need them? In some situations it may be a phone, to dial, 911 to get help. Other times they call out to God (God as they know Him) or consider alternate options.

Lately, there have been lots of people who have been caught in natural disasters. Those things happen for a reason (whether known or unknown by us), and God uses this stuff to get our attention. He wants us to turn to him for help, but not only when we're desperate. Many lives have also been spared in these disasters for reasons that include God's mercy; to give people a second chance, and for others an opportunity to share the goodness of God's protective power. But, even with those second chances there are physical needs that need to be met in order to survive. Others have emotional needs or maybe a family member who needs help, as can be seen in this event in the New Testament (Mat. 15:21-28):

"And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David, my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.' But, he didn't answer her a word." Let's stop there for a moment. Have you ever felt that God wasn't listing to your prayers when you were crying out to him? Many times it may seem like it, but Jesus is not ignoring you, nor was he ignoring this woman. He's waiting, waiting to see how desperate we are and what our response will be. And so Jesus hesitates. Even the disciples were getting frustrated waiting; they finally stepped in and implored Jesus saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." Finally, Jesus spoke up and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Notice, this was not total rejection, but only a statement. He left the door open a little as to see how she would respond to his exclusionary comment. Just like he would say to us. God often listens only to the prayers of his selected children who are willing or ready to obey and/or come to Him with a right attitude. Such is the case we see here, with this desperate woman:

"But she came and began to bow down (worship) before Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!' Now that got Jesus' attention. It's hard for most men to refuse a women who is desperate and crying, but Jesus is not moved by human emotions. However, He was intrigued by her words and actions. Sure, she had honored Him and her actions showed respect; but where was her heart. And Jesus was not through or ready to help; at least not yet. He wanted to deal with her in another area, rather than her concern for her child's welfare. I don't believe there was something in her past that needed to be dealt with that made her any more sinful than the rest of us. But, there is often one big stumbling block for most if not all of us. That stumbling block is pride.

And Jesus answered her and said, " It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." Pow! Pow! A double punch, one to the head and the other to the stomach of this women. In today's language, that would of been like calling her scum. But he also said that she wasn't even worth throwing the bread too. What did Jesus know about her, to respond with a such degrading statement, even though he did love her. He knew something and that is why he waited. Jesus had already helped others that were not Jews. Surely this Canaanite woman from Phoenicia had some issues with pride, possibly regarding her nation's attitude toward the Israelites, or somethings she may have said or thought in the past. Whatever it was, Jesus wanted to deal with her heart before helping this woman and her daughter.

Then the woman replied, "Yes, Lord." Wow, what an incredible comeback (answer) and then she continued, "But even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." This woman didn't argue. She humbly acknowledged that she was a dog who was unworthy to be served; but she believed she could still benefit from the mercy of being near her master's table. I believe she saw herself as one of those lost sheep, in need of help. She also called Jesus, who was a Jew, her master. Recognizing he was the only one who could really help her,

Then Jesus said to her, "O Woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." Oh how Jesus' heart must of swelled with delight for her. She passed the test and took the blows because her faith was greater than her pride. Her humility was real and her pride was no longer an issue; it was her faith in Him that enabled her to move forward to her new master who she would also learn to love. The term master means "bread giver"; and Jesus is the Bread of Life.

This world is in desperate need of God. Don't wait until you're at the end of your rope to cry out. How desperate do you have to be before you call out to Jesus? What will it take in your life to be able to see your need and humble yourself? Is it your pride that keeps you back? You are not alone in that area; God deals with me regularly about pride; but it's best when we surrender to him.

All mankind were formed by God in his likeness, but many people and nations have not chosen to or even tried to acknowledge Jesus as God. Their rebellious cries for help will fall on his covered ears, because he knows they're not going to change or because of their cries to other gods. However he does listen to the cry of the poor and the prayers of his children, and the prays of his sons and daughters who intercede for the people of those nations, cities and peoples "to rise up and come forth." And life will spring forth out of the dryness of those nations. Just as we seeing in the middle east. God is stirring their hearts they want to be free. God desire to reveal himself as the true source of freedom, love, grace and mercy. Then their false pride will be broken. God does listen for brokenness and humility in those who are desperate, just as we saw in King David's prayer in Psalm 51. Please read it and let it be your prayer. And let faith and new life spring forth from your desperate cries to the Heavenly Father.