Human Help is Useless

Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom? Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies? Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes. Psalm 108: 10-13  NLT

The psalmist is asking for help in a battle. The first thought is how to get there. The second is who is going to help defeat Edom. Perhaps a trusted ally is needed. The psalmist seems to switch gears here and call on God. A human ally is not what is needed. God’s help is what is needed. It seems like God has rejected the psalmist and the army. God does not seem to be marching with them. 

Then the psalmist asks for God’s help. He realizes that human help is useless -- even the toughest ally cannot do what God can. With God, the enemy is trampled. 

Even in the church, we focus on those things we can do. We think we need to do certain things ourselves and often forget that human help is useless. We enter the battle before we have asked for God’s help. Only with God’s help can we do the really mighty things. 

Please help, us, Lord, for all human help is useless. With your help, we will do mighty things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Copyright Amelia G. Sims 2012