OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026

TOPIC: ALWAYS SEEK HIS HELP

MEMORISE:

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:6

READ: Psalm 118:5-14

5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

MESSAGE

I recall a time when my father was sitting in an armchair in front of the house, taking in the fresh air. I was also outside, playing football. Suddenly, I kicked the ball high, and it landed on the roof of the house. The roof of the house was thatched, so when the ball landed, it just stayed there. I then went to get a long stick to dislodge the ball from the roof. However, each time I tried to bring the ball down, it kept moving back, and I couldn’t see it because I was still a young boy with a small stature. After going at it for a while, I got tired.

Then, I went to my father and said, “Daddy, please help me; my ball is on the roof.” My father then said, “You saw me sitting here, but you thought you could do it on your own.” Then, he got up and, in one attempt, he brought the ball down.

Beloved, if you do things your own way, God will not interfere in your matters. He doesn’t force Himself on people; He only helps those who genuinely need His help and ask for it. The popular saying that heaven helps those who help themselves doesn’t apply to God. It is a worldly slogan because God only helps those who are genuinely in need and humbly approach Him for help. Psalm 34:6 says:

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Someone who is poor is genuinely in need of something. Such a person acknowledges God as the only One who can help him or her. In Revelation 3:14-17, the Lord scolded the Laodicean church for calling themselves rich when, indeed, they were poor, wretched, and blind. Those who think they can do it all by themselves are living in deceit. God will fold His arms and watch them struggle, and until they cry to Him for help, they will keep running around in circles. When babies stretch out their arms, it means that they are ready to be carried.

Beloved, open your arms wide today, and let God carry you. Involve Him in all you do so that you will not struggle to do the things He can help you do with ease.

PRAYER POINT

Dear Lord, please take control of every area of my life and grant me ease in all that I do.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Luke 9-10

Hymn 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

1 What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge–

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he’ll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.