Oh Lord Please Help Me
BRD REFLECTION 2025
(Daniel Lim from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Psalm 116 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The psalmist first declares his love for God because God has heard his cries (v1-2). He has “suffered distress and anguish” (v3), and cries out to God for deliverance (v4). He recalls God’s mercy toward those with childlike faith (v5-6), and His heart for His followers who face death (v15). The psalmist speaks of how God delivered his soul and he is now at rest (v7-8). In thanksgiving to God, he commits to “lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord” (v13); “pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people” (v14, 18) and “offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (v17).
APPLY:
Many a time I have found myself sighing wearily and whispering a prayer starting with “Oh Lord please help me”. When I am faced with challenges and difficulties, and I cannot see a clear path to resolution, I start to feel small, weak and powerless against my problems. My prayers to God are cries for help, strained and urgent, much like the psalmist’s pleas for mercy.
Though I am praying out of distress, I experience a sense of comfort after having brought my troubles to God, knowing that He has heard me. Though the situation around me may not have improved, I know that Jesus is always near me, and I no longer feel powerless. I am encouraged knowing that God’s heart is for His followers who are suffering. Just as a parent would rush to comfort their child who is hurt and in pain, so our Heavenly Father rushes to meet us in our suffering!
DO:
The psalmist responds to his deliverance by lifting the cup of salvation and calling on the name of the Lord. This is a call for me to be intentional in my worship of God, actively reminding myself of His goodness in my life. The psalmist also commits to fulfill his promises in the presence of other followers. Similarly I should hold myself accountable to other Christians (in the small group, in ministry, and in church), as I seek to serve God. Finally, the psalmist speaks of offering to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. I confess that God’s blessings in my life are too quickly forgotten, and I neglect to thank Him for His goodness to me. I will be more conscientious in journalling the many ways that He has blessed me, so that I may better offer thanksgiving to Him.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, I love You, for You hear my voice. Thank You for loving me as Your child. Your goodness and love will follow me, and You bear me up when I fall. In Your presence is fullness of joy. Help me to remember these truths. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
