Do You Depend on God?
I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him.
Psalm 62:5
Most of us were trained from childhood to be self-sufficient, which can make it difficult to depend on God. We walk with the Lord striving to do his will, but can we really give God control without depending on him? It seems that our dependence on him is limited, when we need answer to our prayer, when life is difficult, or when we need a miracle. Is this the type of dependence that God is pleased with?
I have found that to be consciously aware of depending on God can be very difficult. We can show our dependence through our faith, seeking guidance through the Spirit, or knowing God can do things for us that are impossible for us to do. I first learned to be dependent on God from the following scripture. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
I experience this verse when teaching Bible classes or ministering to someone. The Spirit is needed to guide my thoughts and words, because the Spirit knows the heart of everyone and gives the words that the person needs to hear. Early in my walk with the Lord, the few classes I taught were not sufficiently driven by the Spirit, and my words were not fully hitting the hearts of those in the class. Today fifteen years later I depend more on the Spirit, and I call on the Spirit when teaching or mentoring, and Christ provides the thoughts and words.
This verse tells us that we are dependent on Christ as the branch depends on the vine. Without the vine the branch dies, and without Christ we spiritually die. After experiencing my dependence on the Spirit when teaching and mentoring, my heart was opened for dependence on him. We depend on Christ for eternal life and for his guidance through this life. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) We depend on the Spirit for victory over sin, because Christ has given us his power over Satan and the demons.
Think of how much are we dependent on God for our physical existence. Dr. Timothy R. Jennings states in his book titled The God Shaped Brain: “Life, health, and happiness are only found where love flows free. And love flows free where the truth about God is known.” Science is revealing more everyday how mental and physical health are related to the way we think. When we live by the Spirit, our minds are molded to the mind of Christ, a mind filled with love and hope. We depend on God to mold us to the mind of Christ, which aids both mental and physical health.
The last issue for our dependence on God is maintaining our physical life. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17) Christ certainly maintains our lives every day: He supplies food, water, and air for us. But he also gives us life every day. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life. (John 6:63) The Spirit certainly gives life to our souls; indeed, can the body live without the spirit? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)
If are aware that the Lord supplies our basic physical needs, it will help us to keep him in our hearts, and to have a more thankful heart. When we get to heaven I think we will be surprised at how dependent we are on the Lord.
Today be aware of how much you depend on the Lord, for ministry, for peace and joy, to overcome sins, and to stay alive. Let this increase your thankfulness in your heart and to know God’s love for you. When you depend on the Lord you will seek his guidance and help more often.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to reveal my dependence on you through a surrendered heart, revealed by faith. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, for molding me to be Christ-like, for peace and joy, and for taking away fear that comes from Satan. Draw me closer to you every day, to know you more, and to depend on you more. In Jesus name, Amen