Remember Jesus, who helps us

For surely it is not the angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16

Jesus helped us infinitely by dying on the cross to make us right with God. But that wasn't the end of His help for us. He "ever lives to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 7:25). He promises, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). He is "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1), who "will not leave us as orphans" (John 14:18). 

I recently read Ordinary by Michael Horton, which is a little bit of a pushback on Radical by David Platt. Now, I loved Radical. I was seriously convicted by it. I love how many people have been challenged to support and/or pursue missions because of it. But what I got from Horton rounded things out. Because it's not about doing something big for God or being content in the every day; it's about accepting everything God has for you with open, empty hands. 

I think we have this tendency to believe Jesus helps the missionary in the Middle East and the underground pastor in China and the nonprofit worker in Kenya, but to distrust Him as our help for our day to day lives. They ask for His help because they need it and they're important. Would He really help me today, here?  

But I have to wonder if we don't ask Jesus for help in the ordinary because we don't think we need it, or, perhaps worse, we don't actually want it. 

What if Jesus helped you serve the homeless in your city or neighborhood? 

What if Jesus helped you apologize? 

What if Jesus helped you be kind and understanding and gracious to your boss/coworker/spouse/roommate? 

What if Jesus helped you overcome sloth/lust/pride/greed/idolatry? 

What if Jesus helped you find real peace and true rest in Him? 

Jesus is indeed the help to all who call on His name. No matter who or where you are, Jesus will be helping you become more like Him, 

So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 

You are part of the church, and the church is not about you. It's about Jesus, and the enormous help He extends to each one of us. 

God is my shepherd 

And I am his little lamb 

He feeds me

He guides me 

He looks after me

I have everything I need 

Inside, my heart is very quiet, 

As quiet as lying still in soft green grass

In a meadow

By a little stream 

Even when I walk through 

The dark, scary, lonely places

I won't be afraid 

Because my Shepherd knows where I am 

He is here with me

He keeps me safe 

He rescues me 

He makes me strong 

And brave 

He is getting wonderful things ready for me

Especially for me. 

Everything I ever dreamed of! 

He fills my heart to full of happiness

I can't hold it all inside. 

Wherever I go I know 

God's Never Stopping

Never Giving Up 

Unbreaking 

Always and Forever 

Love 

Will go, too. 

Psalm 23 - Jesus Storybook Bible 

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me; just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15.