Let me ask you a question today. When trouble strikes, who do you turn to for help? Your spouse? A parent? A friend? One of your kids? A neighbor? Think about it for a moment, and do some soul-searching. Doing so could be life-changing for you.

David says in Psalm 34:5 (NLT): "Those who look to [God] for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces." I love how the Easy-to-Read translation above says that when we look to the Lord for help, "He will put a smile on [our] face." Hallelujah!

Some translations of this verse say that when we seek assistance from God, we won't be "ashamed." Others say that we won't be "disappointed." The Holy Spirit is saying through David that when we resist seeking help from people, and instead go to God for help first, we are more likely to receive the kind of help we need most. Why? Because only God sees the big picture. He alone can see the future, and He alone knows what our true needs and desires are. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

One of the best things about going to God for help is that He knows whether we need Him to help us directly and divinely, or if it's best for Him to work through another person of His choosing, in order to give us the help we need. In any case, you can't go wrong going to God first and foremost with your troubles, needs, and desires. So, tell Him today, "Lord, I am looking to You for help, and I am expecting You to put a smile on my face, and to make sure that I am not put to shame or disappointed!"

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for the times that I have sought assistance from others before I sought it from You. Work in my heart so that when I am faced with a problem of any kind, my first response will be to turn to You for help. Remind me often that You are the supreme Problem Solver, and that You always have a custom-made solution available to me, before I ever have a problem. Thank You for the joy, favor, and honor that I will reap as I seek You first in all I do!