The Basis of our Appeal

 “Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭44‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When we are experiencing a need, we pray. When we’re facing a crisis, we cry out to the Lord. And we do so, we look to him, knowing that he can help.

This is good. It is right. But when we appeal to God, we tend to do so on the basis of our goodness. When we cry out to God, we do so on the basis of our faithfulness. 

We believe and insist, in other words, that God owes us his help. We believe that, in light of our goodness, he is obligated to help us. We believe that, in light of our faithfulness, God is compelled to bless us.

This even leads us, at times, to accuse God. When we don’t receive the blessing for which we have asked, we believe him to lack justice. When we don’t receive the blessing of which we believe we’re deserving, we believe God to be unloving.

The problem, however, is that we are not good. What we fail to realize is that we are not faithful. What we fail to realize is that, if God’s help, if his blessing is dependent upon us in any way, we have no reason to be confident in it.

If his blessing is dependent upon us in any way, we’re left in a state of doubt and uncertainty. If his blessing is dependent upon us in any way, we’re without hope. In fact, if his blessing is dependent upon us in any way, we’re deserving of nothing but wrath.

As we look at the above passage, the Psalmist cries out to the Lord. And as he does so, he acknowledges the only basis by which we can appeal to God. He appeals to God, and he looks to God for help, based not on anything in or about himself.

He appeals to God on the basis of his (God’s) nature. He appeals to God on the basis of his (God’s) character. He appeals to God specifically on the basis of his (God’s) steadfast love.

He appeals to God for help because he is loving. He appeals to God for help because he is faithful. He appeals to God for help knowing that he is unchanging.

When we appeal to God in this way, the equation is completely different. When we appeal to God on the basis of who he is, rather than who we are, we know that our confidence is well placed. When we appeal to God on the basis of his nature and character, rather than our own, we can have a genuine hope.

As the Lord is God, his help is beyond question. As the Lord is perfect, his blessing is certain. As the Lord is sinless, his grace is certain. And as the Lord is unchanging, his favor is certain.