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Think On These Things Newsletter>
"The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves"
November 12, 2007
“The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves”
Psalm 37:39-40 “The salvation of the righteous is from the
Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The Lord
helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from the
wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”
NRSV
I used to hear that phrase a lot when I was growing up. I
think my grandmother used to say it. In high school people
began to call me out on it and say that the Bible did not
say that. I assumed that it was true because my grandmother
was a devout woman and most of what she said biblically was
true. At least given the views and theology of the time.
I had certainly not read the entire Bible - not even
close. It was not for lack of trying. And it was not that I
was not interested on some level. But I had friends to be
with and had trouble wrapping my teenage brain around
theology. Although that is not altogether true. I have
always had a fascination with theology and philosophy. But
I was a teenager and reading about theology and philosophy
was a lot like the reading I was doing for school. As far
as I was concerned, that was enough study.
Be that as it may, I did know for sure that the phrase was
in the Bible. I just thought and felt it was. It certainly
seemed to make sense, based on what I knew about the Bible
at the time. And it sounded right. So even if the phrase
did not appear in the Bible, I felt that the Bible did
“say” that. Years later I still feel that way. Now,
however, I have read considerably more of the Bible. Yet I
still have not found that phrase. But I still believe the
Bible “says” it.
Take the above verse for example. “The salvation of the
righteous is from the Lord...” The righteous are saved. Is
not salvation help? It certainly seems to me that salvation
is a magnificent step up from ordinary life. The Lord would
not save you if he did not want to help.
Who is he going to save? The righteous.
How does a person become righteous? By following the law,
which began with the Ten Commandments. One of those
commandments is to honor your father and mother. How do you
do that? By respecting them, certainly. Buy you need to
have a way to make a living and support your family. In
order that your parents will be proud of you. “Six days you
shall labor and do all your work.” Which is part of the
command to keep the Sabbath.
The Lord expects us to labor for the six days. Since we no
longer, as a people, raise livestock, plant vineyards or
olive groves, that would seem to translate to having an
occupation. Which is working, being involved in society,
and success. But success is not measured in riches. Even
though success may bring financial reward, it should not be
the sustaining goal. “You shall not bow down to them
(idols) or worship them.”
Being righteous means following God’s law and living as he
would have you live. And that takes work. You have to do
something. And what you do that is righteous benefits
yourself and praises the Lord. You will have worked hard to
get to that point. You have people who love you. Family,
children, and/or animals to care for. You work to provide
for yourself and others. If not family, perhaps community
service or mission work. You work to better your position
while following God’s law and praising him.
To return to the aforementioned passage, “the salvation of
the righteous is from the Lord...The Lord helps them and
rescues them.” It would be difficult to “labor six days,”
follow God’s commandments, and live a life of faith without
helping oneself. That is how you become righteous in the
Lord’s eyes. Therefore, even though simply put, “God helps
those who help themselves.”
Peace be with you.
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