Beyond Help?

Following the recent earthquake in Pakistan, some international officials declared areas of the disaster zone “beyond help.” They were referring to conditions of roads and weather that prevented access to isolated regions. When we use that phrase
“beyond help,” we do so out of a sense of our own exacerbation with the circumstances that seem to be out of control or beyond our capacity to respond. In fact, that moment is perhaps the best time to rethink our position. Alone, we may be ourselves “beyond help.” Alone, those we would attempt to aid may be “beyond help,” but the witness of the scriptures give repeated testimony to the fact that God has the capacity that we do not have. God has the provision that we do not know or comprehend in our limited view. God has the means and the willingness to meet needs that we identify readily as “beyond our reach.”

How often have you come to that point in life when your conclusion about a situation was to declare it or the people involved, “Beyond help?” We must not forget that each and every individual is well within God’s capacities to help meet their need.

Our problem is perception. We look at the short-sighted view. We look at ourselves and see our limitations and forget God. God is able to abundantly provide above all that we ask or think, as we recognize in Him, the life we are called to live.
The disciple of Jesus discovers the rich provision of God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness. We have in Christ, a Savior, who redeems us from death and the grave. We have a risen Lord that redefines our future in terms of fellowship with God for all eternity. We have in Jesus the one who will supply our needs in accordance with the will of God and with the promise “to never leave us nor forsake us.”

Life in Christ is to never be “beyond help.” Life in fellowship with our Lord is full of the capacities of God to enable and supply our needs and the needs of others. The real question before us is the question of faith. Do we trust God? Do we recognize that He is the source of our hope? Do we understand that kingdoms of this world will shatter and fall, but the Kingdom of God and His rule, as it is known in the hearts and lives of His people, will endure forever? Our cry should be “God help us!” For those we seem so helpless to aid, let us pray, “God help them!” And with earnest and willful acts of intentional love ….in the name of Christ; let us do what we know we can do, trusting God and seeing Him work in and through us.