Devotion #4: Help: A Song and a Savior
During my youth, there were only two radio stations allowed to be played and enjoyed within the Hudgens family: the Christian music station and the Oldies station. On Saturdays, in particular, my dad would have the Oldies station playing while cleaning the garage or while out for a drive in the project car of the moment. On one such Saturday, while driving around town, I recall my dad singing confidently and with much enthusiasm along to the Beatles’ song “Help.” Surprised to hear his voice belting out the lyrics with perfect accuracy, I asked why this song connected so deeply with him. His vulnerable response remains with me to this day: “Because,” he said, “I was once in desperate need of help - help from myself. I knew that I needed more help than could ever be provided by another person. So, I cried out to God, and I received in Christ all the help, and more, that I would ever need.”
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explores and expounds upon many critical areas of faith and practice. Within the opening passages, he addresses the confronting truth that all of humanity is in need of help. Drawing from Old Testament Scripture, Paul states, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
This is our shared human reality. Regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, each one of us traversing this material plane is, in fact, in need of help. We are broken and cut off from our Creator due to our own rebellion. Our physical and spiritual status before God is corrupted. Relying solely upon human volition, there is no amount of achievement, moral good, gained wealth, or anything else that can restore us to a right relationship with Him and with others.
Ephesians 2:4-5 adds, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” Furthermore, Paul continues in verses 8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Help is available in the Lord. Help is received when we acknowledge and confess our need to Him. Help is forever secured in Jesus.
Perhaps you need help today. All of us “need somebody, not just anybody.” All of us need Jesus. Call out to Him today.