JANUARY 4, 2013
Help
Yourself
Read: Psalm
146
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the
Lord his God. —Psalm
146:5
Recently,
I saw a television ad for a restaurant chain that made a
dramatic claim. At
those restaurants, the ad said you could “Help
Yourself to Happiness.” Wouldn’t
it be nice if a helping of potatoes
or meat or pasta or dessert would be all
that was needed to provide
happiness? Unfortunately, no restaurant can fulfill
that promise.
Happiness
is an elusive thing—as we can see in almost every area of
life. Our pursuit of
happiness may involve food or a host of other
things, but, in the end,
happiness continues to escape our grasp.
Why?
In large measure it’s because the things we tend to pursue do
not touch the
deepest needs of our hearts. Our pursuits may provide
moments of enjoyment,
distraction, or pleasure, but the cry of our
hearts goes unheard—the cry for
help and hope. That is why the
psalmist points us to a better way when he says,
“Happy is he who
has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his
God” (Ps. 146:5).
Help
yourself? Yes—if we are seeking the happiness found in the Lord.
It is only
when we entrust ourselves to God and His care that we can
find the happiness we
seek. Our hope and help are found only in
trusting Him.
Father, draw me to Yourself. Remind me that only
in You will I know the real joy and satisfaction that
my heart longs for. Help me to look beyond the
surface things of life to what really matters.
The one who puts God first will have happiness that lasts.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
