When is it Time to Ask for Heavenly Help? – Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9

Come, Follow Me: New Testament 2023 (Mar. 6–12)

This question came up in my Sunday School discussion, “Why did the boys in the boat wait so long to wake Jesus up? Should they have asked for His help earlier?” I’ve pondered this question and examined my own timing for asking for heavenly help. 

Some insights came from a snow encounter. Living in Park City, snow is appreciated and expected, but this year our capacity is strained. Because I have a very long driveway that must be plowed with a tractor, I’m well prepared with a tractor and vehicles that do well in the snow. But last Tuesday, I found both my truck and tractor stuck in the driveway, overcome by three feet snow drifts. It was quite a pickle because I needed one of them to pull the other out. With a prayer in my heart, asking for physical strength, I shoveled and shoveled and shoveled but there was no budging of either vehicle. Worn out and defeated, I knew I had done all I could physically do. It was time to ask for help. 

The woman with an issue of blood spent all that she had on physicians with no relief. She had done all that she could physically do. When she heard of Jesus, she knew it was time to reach out in faith, “For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole (Mark 5:28).”

The answer to my ponderings of when to ask for help is a vivid image. Two oxen yoked together to accomplish the work. One is weak and scrawny, the other is the most powerful ever born. Being the weak and scrawny one, I work to pull my weight and build my muscles and strength with the most powerful one, Christ, always by my side. Because we’re a team, I know that when I’ve done all I can do, when I’ve reached my capacity, He is ready and willing to make up the difference for the rescue. 

Help came on Tuesday. With just a little more muscle and maneuvering, both vehicles were freed. It wasn’t a big ox that walked up the driveway to help, but surely it was the promised heavenly help, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Emotional Resilience Skill: When we are yoked with Jesus, we have power to conquer whatever comes our way.