Session 14

Need a little help from your friends?

From 2 Chronicles: A 28-Day Devotional

One of the hardest things to do is ask for help. For some, asking for help is a pride issue. For others, asking for help feels like admitting defeat. Even when others volunteer to help, their service is refused.

In 2 Chronicles 2, Solomon writes to Hiram, a neighboring king who knew Solomon’s father, to ask for help building the temple. In the letter, Solomon is transparent about everything he needs, including manpower and supplies. Hiram isn’t put out or bothered by the request. In fact, he praises Solomon’s wisdom in asking for help.

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the Lord and a palace for himself” (2 Chronicles 2:12).

Solomon was building a temple, but our challenges can seem just as big. For some of us, our jobs are wearing on us and we need help praying through the day. For some of us, it may be a family issue that feels too horrible to share outside of those walls.  

In order to receive help, we have to ask for help. And in order to ask for help, we have to admit we need help. Solomon recognized that he needed help. And like Solomon, we are not meant to do life alone.  

Jesus promises to provide what we need to accomplish God-sized dreams (John 14:13-14). He gives us strength and power, but He also works through the friends He’s already put in our lives. In the church, we find friends and fellow believers who want to lend a helping hand. We just have to be willing to ask.  

Reflect:

• When was the last time you needed help and were afraid to ask? How did that particular situation turn out?
• What do you need help with today? Who can you ask to join you in prayer or lend a helping hand?