Jay Leno once asked random people on the street to name one of the Ten Commandments. And the most popular response was, “God helps those who help themselves.”
Not only is this not one of the Ten Commandments, it’s not to be found in the Bible at all.
Instead, it is in actuality a proverbial “truism” that has likely been around for thousands of years. Versions of it have been found in ancient Greek dramas as far back as 400 BC. The Roman poet Ovid, who lived in the time of Caesar Augustus, also had a version of this saying in his poetry.
In fact, the Bible’s message is the exact opposite. The very concept of grace is founded on the fact that God helps those who cannot help themselves. God loves the helpless, the poor, the lost and the needy.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3, NIV).
The grace of God excludes our helping ourselves. Jesus is not our business partner or our teammate, carrying the baton only after we have first run our leg of the race. He is our Savior. He is the Advocate who speaks up for us, because there is nothing we can say for ourselves.
Jesus displaces our guilt with his grace, our sin with his righteousness. Our work is nothing. His is everything. The apostle Paul writes, “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:5, NIV).
Now, as we were helped when we were helpless, as we have an advocate when we are powerless to speak for ourselves, so we too can be advocates for those around us who cannot speak for themselves. We can stand up for the poor and needy.
Jesus speaks up for us before the throne of the Father. And now, we speak up for others who cannot help themselves.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9, NIV).
Lord Jesus, thank you for helping me when I was poor and needy because of my sins. You spoke up for me when I could not speak for myself. Empower me by your Spirit and your gospel promises to speak up for those who are poor and needy, for those who are powerless to speak up for themselves.
Our Bible reading for Tuesday, December 22, is Ezra 8:15 – 9:15, Revelation 14:1-13 and Proverbs 31:1-9.
Header image based on "Fraternidad_Cuba 292" by James Emery, CC By 2.0
pastorjeffgunn 
Bible reading for Tuesday, December 22, is Ezra 8:15 – 9:15, Revelation 14:1-13 and Proverbs 31:1-9.
Today I’m thankful for… 18 holes of goodness, a Canadians sense of humor, and being just good enough at something to be frustrated.
“and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.”
Ezra 9:6-7 NIV
“He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.””
Revelation 14:7 NIV
Heavenly Father, we fear and respect your great name. You words are true, truly we are sinful and deserve your wrath. Everyday we hope to good, to be better people. Everyday we have sin filled thoughts and forget to love. Thank you Lord, thank you for our Savior Jesus. In Him alone we stand righteous in your sight. In Jesus we know to fear you and accept your discipline with your grace. In His name we worship all that has been created for us. Thank you Father today and tomorrow for all you do.
~Paul Montenieri
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