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We depend on many things. We depend on food, water, air, and a
properly functioning body. We depend on these things because they
are essential for the continuation of our lives.
We depend on God in the same way. Without God, we would die. With
God, we continue to live. God is our Creator and the sustainor of
life through His Son Jesus Christ (Gen. 1:1f; Col. 1:16-17; Heb.
1:3).
In one sense, the question is not whether we depend on God but
if we realize our dependence on Him. But in another sense, we must
turn our lives over to God and thus depend on Him for everything.
Peter commands: "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty
hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your
care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6- 7).
What does it mean for Christians to depend on God? As a little
child depends upon his parents, so Christians must depend upon God.
Jesus said: "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted
and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom
of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3-4).
"Depend" means to be contingent (Webster's New
Collegiate Dictionary). Whatever a little child does is contingent
upon his parents. A little child cannot feed himself or prepare
food to eat. A little child cannot take himself to the doctor when
ill. A little child depends on his parents for everything. Christians
must turn their lives over to God and thus depend on Him. Their
lives must be contingent on God's will.
"Depend" means to exist by virtue of a necessary relation
(Webster). God's existence is not dependent on His relationship
with us. But, our physical and spiritual existence are dependent
on our relationship with Him. Everyone must depend on God for their
physical existence. But only those who believe and obey God have
given themselves over to Him and thus depend on Him for salvation.
"Depend" means to be pending or undecided (Webster).
Christians put God first in their lives. Their motto is: Let God's
will be done, not my own. Christians do not make decisions based
upon their own will but upon God's will. We do not know what will
happen tomorrow or even the next minute. From our perspective, everything
is pending.
"Depend" means to place reliance or trust (Webster).
Do we depend on people we do not trust? Our dependence on God is
linked to our trust in Him. And trust is linked to faith. Paul says
that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom.
10:17). The more faith we have in God, the more dependent we will
be on Him.
"Depend" means to be dependent, especially for financial
support (Webster). Without God's blessing we would have nothing.
We would not have any food or money. Do we realize our dependence
on God when we sit at the table to eat? Do we realize our dependence
on God every time we make a purchase?
"Depend" means to hang down (Webster). This is
a literal definition of depend. A pendant hangs down from a chain.
If the chain breaks, the pendant falls. We are the pendants and
God is the chain. Our life is totally dependent on God's firm grasp.
Our very existence is contingent upon God.
What is the result of realizing our dependence on God? It is the
same as a little child who realizes his dependence on his parents.
Little children are grateful and thankful. In a manner of speaking,
they "worship" their parents. Little children seek their
parent's favor. Little children are obedient, though sometimes with
a little chastening.
Do you realize your dependence upon God?
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