Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Matthew 26 and Hebrews 12

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18

I extended a pause on my studies of both Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's Solid Joys daily devotion on DesiringGod.com.  John Piper's devotion today examines how Jesus battled depression (using the night before He went to the cross as the example) and Piper urges us to avoid unbelief and not putting up a spiritual battle.  Using Matthew 26:37-39 and Hebrews 12:2, he points to six ways that we can use to put up a spiritual battle:

1. He chose some close friends to be with him. “Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee” (Matthew 26:37).
2. He opened his soul to them. He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Matthew 26:38).
3. He asked for their intercession and partnership in the battle. “Remain here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).
4. He poured out his heart to his Father in prayer. “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39).
5. He rested his soul in the sovereign wisdom of God. “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
6. He fixed his eye on the glorious future grace that awaited him on the other side of the cross. “For the joy that was set before him [he] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). 

Note how three of the six related to other people and the other three, of course, relate to God.  God should be first.  God will then point to and connect us to others who will help us in the battle.  Saturate yourself with God and surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ who will help you in the battle.  

From the very beginning - Genesis 2 - we hear from God how "it is not good that man should be alone." I have fought the battle of depression and I know this for sure.  Take Piper's words to heart.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who has given me Your Son, the Holy Spirit, Your Word, and brothers and sisters in Christ who arm me in the battle against this world and depression - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.

2 Samuel 11

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. v1

With previous readings of this chapter, my focus has been on David's sin and humanity vs the perfection of God.  Today my focus is on HOW David found himself falling prey to temptation and sin.

First we must remember that since The Fall (Genesis 3), sin entered the world, it is all around us (in the world), and it is "on the prowl".  

This said, God is our refuge and He can protect us from sin.  Yet if we fail to draw near to Him and stay near to Him we risk losing God's protection.  I am not saying that we ever deserve God's protection by virtue of an act - on the contrary, God's protection is only by His grace and we are not deserving.  We are never promised a life of ease and comfort.  Instead we are promised that God can help us overcome the world (John 16:33) either in life or in death. 

One key way God protects us is by providing others in our lives who "sharpen" us (Proverbs 27:17).  

Since the beginning (Genesis 2), it has always been part of God's plan that we are to live together with others who can support, encourage and help us.

David had His mighty warriors (2 Samuel 23) yet David chose to stay home in v1 when Joab and David's mighty warriors all went into battle.  

We CANNOT afford to live life on our own!  We must find others - the right others - who can encourage, support and sharpen us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has provide many, many "right" others for me and these people have encouraged, supported, and sharpened me.  Thank You Jesus for these people!  I am not worth such love because my sin continues - envy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please prepare Godly spouses and friends for them.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Exodus 18

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” v21-23

Ever since creation (see Genesis 2:18), God designed it that we are to live here on earth together - with and for others.

We are to serve others, confess our sins to one another, and encourage one another.

See also:
- Acts 2:42-47 (early formation of church)
- Serve
- Encourage

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  James 5:13-16

Key also to this passage of scripture is how Moses received wise counsel and how we are to do the same - to both seek and receive.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and patience for me...thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving.  I allow my own comfort and selfishness to prevent me from seeking You. Please forgive me - help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa from her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.