Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help
When I was younger so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
But now these days are gone, I’m not so self assured
Now I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I’ve never done before
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me
by John Lennon, The Beatles
When John Lennon, with the collaboration of the other Beatles wrote this song, I wonder if they ever realized how it could be interpreted in the hearts of those listening to the words. Here’s my take on “Help”.
“Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone, help”
Life can get you down. People can be cruel. Evil and temptations lurk behind every corner. What do I do? Where can I go? Who can I turn to?
Psalm 120:1-2 David wrote a plea for relief from bitter foes, “In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.”
“When I was younger so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way”
When we are young, we think we are invincible. We’ve got this! We can take on the world and we’ll be fine. But what happens when we trip, and we are bound to trip…everybody does somewhere along the way.
How many times has your Grandmother (as mine did) recited to you the old Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” And how many times did you listen?
1 John 2:16-17 tells us, “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” What God can give us is much richer than what our world today can give us.
“But now these days are gone, I’m not so self assured
Now I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors“
I keep questioning my choices. Not much has been successful. I’m not so self assured as I was when I thought I had the world by the tail. So now what? Now where do I go? Who can I turn to?
Psalm 124:8, shows “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 46:1-2, tells us “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 121:1-2, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” The writer of Psalm 121 is anticipating his journey through the hills. A route filled with anxiety – he seeks help and finally looking up he realizes where his help is going to come from.
“And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I’ve never done before”
Yes, I’m getting older. I need others to rely on for all kinds of things. Sometimes I struggle to find kindness. Some think because I’m older I’m of no use and should just be laid by the wayside. But even in my insecurity I know God looks out for me and I need Him even more.
Jesus stood at my heart’s door and He knocked…so I let Him in. Just like he asked in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him and dine with him and he with Me.” and in Revelation 3:8 Jesus said, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
If you notice that same door where Jesus is standing and knocking there is no door knob. The only way He can come in is if you open that door from the otherside.
Think of it this way, the way the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 91:14-16, “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
Now read it with my changes: “Because you have set your love upon God, therefore God will deliver you; God will set you on high, because you know His name. You shall call upon God, and God will answer you; God will be with you in trouble; God will deliver you and honour you. With long life God will satisfy you, and show you His salvation.”
What a reassuring promise from God to us.
So the next time your find yourself singing
“Help, I need somebody”
“Help, not just anybody”
“Help, you know I need you Lord Jesus”
“Help”
He Will Be There