God Is Faithful Even When We’re Not

“If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.”

2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

The home I grew up in was not overtly Christian and we never once attended church as a family. Not surprisingly, the nuggets of “truth” I brought from childhood into adulthood surely came from a plethora of sources — possibly including the Bible.

One belief I not only learned, but became defined by — GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELPS THEMSELVES — has been like a constant Goliath in my life for decades. Regardless the fact that I now know it’s not true, something inside of me continue to circle back to that old debilitating statement. And to me, what this is saying is that God’s love and approval of me is contingent on my willingness and determination to deserve it.

It sounds true, doesn’t it?

“God helps those who help themselves” is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. In actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. 

“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”

Proverbs 28:26 NIV

The Bible teaches that trust in oneself is foolish, and that God provides refuge and strength for the helpless

So, what is the truth?

God is our refuge

“For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat…”

Isaiah 25:4

“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless   is like a storm driving against a wall.”

Proverbs 25:4

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Romans 5:8

In terms of salvation, we are all utterly helpless

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

God blesses the poor in spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“

Matthew 5:3

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

My constant reminder

The saying “God helps those who help themselves” is not found in the Bible, and it’s generally understood that the Bible emphasizes the opposite. To keep my mind from slipping back into the old, false beliefs from my childhood, I constantly remind myself of this absolute truth (and there are times I need others to remind me).

God helps those who recognize their need for Him and rely on His strength,
rather than solely on their own abilities