“God is my helper,” David states in his songs. Psalm 46 contains the line about God being an ever-present help in trouble. That’s who God is and who God can be to us.

We can turn to Him. We can call out for Him. We can look to Him and be saved.

But here we have Israel being told they are against their helper.

What would that look like?

Can you picture trying to help someone who is working against you? You are saying, “Let me help you,” but they won’t let you. Think of a small child being held because the parent maybe wants to walk quickly, but they are squirming and fighting to get down. Or picture a child getting frustrated and wanting to just scribble something out because they messed up instead of letting you help them.

God wants to save, but we run around trying to save ourselves. He wants to help but we’re making things worse. Or, maybe we’re fixing the one problem with a band-aid and thinking we’ve taken care of things, but we’re missing what we really needed help with.

What should it look like? It should look like calling on Him as soon as there is trouble and keep looking at Him until He directs our steps. We are to wait on His counsel.

We aren’t to figure out for ourselves what to do.

God reminds His people that He is their God. That there is no savior besides Him. He reminds them that they know no other God.

There is only one God. Anything or anyone else you are turning to is not a god and cannot save.

There is only one hope. We need to know we need God. God helps Israel and things are good, but then they forget God when things are going well, when they are full and their hearts are lifted up.

Recognize your utter need for God in all things.