The title is a statement we often say without much thought. One finds out later that we all fall short in truly believing and living out this statement. It can stem from several things in our life. When one is walking in their journey as a believer in Christ, three things come to mind, covetousness, compromise, and unfaithfulness. After pondering about this, I’ve realized that even though I thought I was stable in saying "the Lord is my helper," He showed me that I was not making a true confession. The Spirit convicted me about the purity in my heart. Since it is every Christians desire or at least it should be every Christians desire to be pure in heart. Our Lord is ever refining and sifting us like wheat. Each of us has situations in life that test our character of who we are, whether it is in Christ or in our own self-will. I find that we must have a daily check up in what we say and do. This is part of examining ourselves to see if we are standing in the faith. Take a look at the following scripture:

2 Corinthians 13:5

Test yourselves {to see} if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test? (NAS)

How many times have we failed the test? David asks the Lord to test him and so should we. It is a way of maturing and growing in our walk as a disciple of Christ. A disciple of Christ simply means one who follows, believes in, and helps in sharing what Christ taught. So we find it is the word by the Spirit which brings conviction.

Psalms 26:2

Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart. (NAS)

Is your mind and heart being tested? It should be. How else are we to learn to abide in Him. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free."

What about covetousness? It means to desire enviously what someone else has. That new car, house, job, position, CD, etc., Oh! I wish I had that? Wishing, desiring, and longing for something we do not have at the moment. This desire of wanting what someone else has, compromises our position in Christ. In the world we see advertisements galore to obtain some new thing and we are willing to borrow money to obtain it because we believe we deserve to have it. One should question, "At whose expense?" Self-will is ruling our hearts not God’s will. We become servants to the lender instead of a servant to the Lord. This is a hard lesson to learn. Somehow living with less has become a curse in our society. To down size and have a simpler life and lifestyle should not be a cuse, but a blessing. We are not to be fearful, intimidated, or agitated by what we do not have, or by what other people do have. Do not compromise! We are to have His peace and not be anxious for anything. We are to be thankful for what we do have. Everything we have belongs to God and he has given each of us a portion. It is our attitude and what we do with what we have that matters. When we consider the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus had some harsh words about hiding our talent and not doing anything with it. (See Matthew chapter 25) God has given each one of us a gift and or talent. Our receiving of this gift or talent is to be used for His Kingdom and Glory. The gift is not to be used just for our own pleasure, but rather to share it with someone else. Thus, we share in the goodness of the Lord. This menas being a good steward with what we have, and being content in our position at the moment.

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a {special} gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (NAS)

I remember a statement someone gave in regards to never being satisfied. "One can never satisfy the flesh (our carnal nature) for it always seeks for more substance." This "substance" becomes a vicious cycle in that it craves for more material. This becomes a thorn in our flesh. and one dies by its consuption. Consider the following:

Mark 4:18-19

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (KJV)

Lord help us not to become unfruitful by the wanting of things that would entrap us into becoming its slave. Help us not to compromise our faith by the consumption of things that are not ours and help us to believe that our God is truly our helper. Help us not to accept what society considers acceptable as compared with what the word says.

When we cease to be thankful and fall into the success of being wealthy we serve the wealth instead of God. As one becomes unfaithful, one soon has an attitude of ungratefulness. One begins to find fault with thier surroundings as well as with everyone else. Sometimes, we find that everything in life becomes more difficult. We find ourselves beginning to justify all that we do. We start to grumble and complain about everything. We are not to have a pious attitude, but to live as thankful child of God, redeeming the time because the days are evil.

Philippians 2:14-15

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. (NAS)

Let us endeavor to be true within our own hearts as we continue to walk the Christian path as children of God. Knowing that when we fall, we can confess to our Lord our weaknesses, and take up the cross and follow Him. For in Christ we’ve died to our sin (self-life) in order that we may live in Christ through the Spirit. Let nothing hinder us from taking up the cross daily and crucifying our sin (self-life). Let our conversation be without covetousness and let us be content with the things we have, for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Therefore, we can boldly say the Lord is my helper. Lets look at the following scripture that emphasizes this.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (KJV)

Written by Inge Schultz