Have you ever had trouble asking someone for help? A lot of people struggle with this for different reasons. Some people may not ask for help because they feel that no one will care, or that they’re being an inconvenience, or that no one understands their struggles, so they have to carry their burden alone. Everyone has a problem they struggle with—whether it’s an addiction, a bad habit, or even something that isn’t really their fault but they have to carry anyway. Every single person has their own unique problems, but everyone also has this one common issue: the enemy.

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Everyone faces temptation from the devil. Jesus did when he was fasting in the desert, when Satan appeared and tempted him three times (Matt. 4:1-11). It doesn’t look like this, usually—Satan may not “appear” to tempt you, but any temptation to sin can be traced back to his influence. The Bible tells us that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

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In our verse for today, we learn that God will restore us and make us strong, firm, and steadfast. Those sound like good attributes to fend off temptation – being strong, firm, and steadfast enough in Christ to resist the urge to do whatever the devil tells you to.

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But often, God waits to bring restoration until we’ve sought him and asked for it. Like I said, some people have problems asking for help. Some people feel like God doesn’t care, that they’re being an inconvenience to him, or that they need to carry their burden alone. In verse seven of this same chapter, we read: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God cares for you and he wants to help with your life. Maybe not in the way you’d expect, but he wants to walk alongside you. I think the same goes for being inconvenient: God cares. He doesn’t think you’re messing him up or slowing him down—he wants to help. In Psalm 34:18, we read: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” In Psalm 46:1, we read: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” God is an ever-present help—which means you don’t have to carry your burden alone.  

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I think the really cool thing about our verse for today is hidden in the first line: “And the God of all grace…” Grace means you receive something that you don’t deserve. It’s honestly kind of a sad thought that we don’t deserve the comfort or the help that God gives us, but it turns into a happy thought when we realize that God helps us anyway. He chooses to come alongside us, even after we fall into temptation or give into Satan’s wishes. God comes back again and again and again to help us. God will give us grace no matter what, if we’ll lay down our pride and accept his waiting hand.

Dear God, thank you for this day. Thank you for the help that you give us to resist the temptation of the devil. Thank you for helping me no matter how many times I fail. Please help me to remember to resist temptation and ask you for help even when I may feel like an inconvenience or feel ashamed to ask again. Amen.