Ask God: In years of teaching God's Word, I have encountered individuals that have not learned what to do after accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus said to Matthew, "Follow me." What do you think these words meant to Matthew? What do they mean to you.

Good Evening Reader,

Today, we will look at Psalm 121 and Matthew 9:9-17. Matthew had a decision to make. He did not ponder on the question but accepted it immediately. Now, his life would forever be changed as he absorbed the teachings of Christ. He would learn and grow in the Word.

To God be the Glory.

Elvin

Transformation for Believers

Psalm 121 and Matthew 9: 9-17

The question for many new believers: Now that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, what do I do? How can I grow as a Christian while following Jesus? These are also good questions for seasoned believers.

Where Does My Help Come From?

Life has a way of exposing our need for help. We make plans, set goals, and then try to accomplish our goals using our own strength. As so often happens, we run into a problem. Unfortunately, we try to handle it ourselves without the help and wisdom of our loving heavenly Father.

The writer of Psalm 121 understood this struggle and asked a question many believers still ask today:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help?” (Psalm 121:1)

His answer shifts our focus away from self-reliance:

“My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

Part of growing as a Christian is learning to seek God’s help. It is in our nature to “do it ourselves.” But God desires we come to Him and let the Holy Spirit guide us. The Holy Spirit is our Helper sent from God. Part of growing as a Christian is changing our ways from independence to dependence on God.

Jesus recognized His followers would need a Helper once He returned to heaven. He asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit as the Helper for believers. If Jesus saw this need, then we should look more closely at it in our lives and at how we can utilize the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Said to Matthew, “Follow Me.”

Why would Jesus call a man like Matthew?

Matthew 9 shows Jesus calling Matthew, a tax collector with a horrible reputation for mistreating the people he collected taxes from. Jesus invited Matthew into a new life. He was not chosen because he was perfect. He was chosen because he was willing to follow. Jesus later explained His mission clearly:

“He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

Psalm 121 and Matthew 9 tell a powerful story about who Jesus is. First, God is our help, and second, Jesus calls us just as we are. Jesus never waits until we are perfect before He calls us. He looks for those who are willing to follow Him and willing to grow into the person God desires them to be.

He never leaves us unchanged. Christ described this transformation by saying new wine cannot be placed into old wineskins (Matthew 9:17). New life requires a new way of living.

Many believers feel caught between faith and struggle. They trust God, yet still wrestle with old habits, fears, and doubts. Consider a seed planted in soil. At first, nothing seems to be happening on the surface. Give it time. Growth begins underground before it becomes visible above ground. Spiritual growth works the same way. We begin to change on the inside.

As we walk with Christ and allow His Word to saturate our hearts, our thinking and desires begin to reflect Him. God helps us and transforms us into the people He designed us to be. It only requires that we desire to be like Jesus and seek Him in all we do. Over time, we will be transformed.

Our Help Comes From God, Not From Ourselves

Life has a way of reminding us how limited we are. Problems arise that our natural wisdom cannot fix, and our natural strength cannot carry. The writer of Psalm 121 understood this feeling. As he traveled toward Jerusalem, he looked at the hills around him and asked an honest question:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help?” (Psalm 121:1)

The answer brought comfort and confidence:

“My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

The psalmist realized that real help does not come from human ability or favorable circumstances. Help comes from the Creator Himself. God sees what we cannot see, and He works even when we feel uncertain or afraid.

Many believers struggle because they try to carry burdens alone. We pray, but then we worry. We trust God with words, but still depend mostly on our own strength. Psalm 121 reminds us that God never grows tired of watching over His people:

“He who keeps you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:3)

Imagine a night watchman who never falls asleep. That is how Scripture describes God’s care. He watches over our families, our decisions, and even the struggles we never speak about.

In Matthew 9, Matthew did not fix his life before following Jesus. He responded to Christ’s call while still imperfect. In the same way, believers today do not have to solve every problem before trusting God. We come as we are.

This reminds me of a child learning to ride a bicycle. They feel safe as the parent runs beside them. The child still pedals, but their confidence comes from knowing someone stronger is with them. God walks beside us in the same way. And He doesn’t sleep or get tired.

If you are weary or discouraged, remember this truth. You are not carrying life alone. The Lord who made heaven and earth is your helper, today and always.

Jesus Calls Imperfect People to Follow Him

Many people believe they must fix their lives before coming to God. They think they must become stronger, wiser, or more spiritual first. Matthew 9 shows us something very different. Jesus saw Matthew sitting in his tax booth collecting taxes. He was a man known for dishonesty, and society wanted nothing to do with him. Then Jesus speaks two life-changing words:

“Follow me.” (Matthew 9:9)

Matthew does not argue or delay. Scripture says, “he arose and followed him.” Jesus called him while he was still living an imperfect life. It was the same with you and me. God called us by grace, not based on our human qualifications.

Soon after, Jesus shares a meal with tax collectors and sinners. Religious leaders criticize Him, asking why He spends time with such people. Jesus had an interesting way of answering the religious leaders. It showed His compassion and truth:

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matthew 9:12)

Jesus uses an illustration of a doctor. A doctor does not avoid sick patients. He moves toward them to bring healing. In the same way, Christ comes close to those who know they need help.

Many believers today struggle with guilt or feelings of unworthiness. They may think they are unworthy to be called a Christian. Matthew’s story reminds us that God specializes in calling ordinary people with broken pasts.

Think about a coach choosing players for a team. The coach not only selects those who are already talented and skilled, but also those who are willing to learn and grow. Training produces strength over time. Jesus works the same way in our lives. At the time we chose to follow Jesus, we probably knew very little about the Bible. It becomes our responsibility and opportunity to change that condition. Praying and studying God’s Word are the beginning of your growth and transformation.

Jesus also said:

“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13)

God desires hearts that respond to His mercy, not people pretending to be flawless.

If you feel unqualified, take courage. Jesus still calls people who struggle, doubt, and grow slowly. Following Him is not the reward for perfection. It is the beginning of transformation.

New Life in Christ Requires a New Way of Living

When Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, He was not simply inviting him to add religion to his old life. He was calling him into a completely new way of living. In Matthew 9, people questioned why Jesus’ disciples did not follow certain religious traditions, such as fasting. Jesus answered by giving a powerful illustration:

“Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break (burst), the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:17).

Jesus was teaching that His work brings inner transformation. The old patterns of thinking and believing cannot hold the new life He gives. Following Christ is not about outward change alone. It is about a renewed heart.

Psalm 121 helps us understand how this change is possible. The Psalm reminds us that God is actively watching over His people:

“The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121:8)

Because God keeps us, we should not fear the change. We will grow into new habits and new obedience without fear. We are not changing alone. God is guiding our process.

Many believers become discouraged because growth feels slow. Old habits and attitudes often return. This is natural. We need to look to God for His help in our transformation. Spiritual growth is a journey, not an instant change.

For example, when a family moves into a new home, they do not unpack everything in one hour. Boxes are opened little by little. Rooms are arranged over time. In the same way, Christ gives us a new life instantly, but learning to live in that new life happens step by step.

Jesus invites believers to let go of old ways, such as self-reliance and fear, and to trust His transforming work. The encouragement for struggling Christians is this. God does not expect instant perfection. He desires willing hearts. As we follow Him daily, He reshapes us into people who can fully live the new life He has given.

Elvin

Ask God For

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

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