There are many times in life when it seems that we are alone and there is no one who understands our own peculiar problems. They may be problems that we have initiated ourselves, or they may be problems coming from our workplace, or our associates, the government, the church, or school or from some other outside source. Whatever or wherever the problem exists, it is apparently something that you are unable to solve. Because of it, you may be losing sleep, you may even be losing weight, you may be losing friends or money, or you may be losing confidence in yourself and others may be losing confidence in you.
However terrible the situation always remember that God is still in control and He is still a God of love. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” I John 4:8. In His love He wants the best for you and we need to have confidence in His love. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. Notice that this promise is to those who love God.
Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) so putting these two texts together, things will work together for good if we love Him and then if we do love Him, we will be keeping His commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” I John 5:3.
To receive strength from God, first we must ask. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Luke 11:9, 10. Later on Jesus told His disciples, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13, 14.
We must ask in faith, for Jesus said to many of those whom He healed, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” Matthew 9:22. This is mentioned also in other places in the Gospels. It says in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” It is necessary to believe that God will do what He says and that He loves us enough to do what is best for us even if it isn’t the very thing we think is best. A very comforting and assuring verse is Psalm 37:4: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
In review, the way to receive help from God is to believe that He is and that He will do what He says; then ask for what we need, according to His will. In order for us to receive, we must love God and if we love Him we will keep His commandments. If we keep His commandments He will answer our prayers according to His will.
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37–39.
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