The Power of Depending on God

The world teaches us to get along the best we can in life, figure things out as we go, and depend on ourselves to do the right thing. However, that’s not a workable strategy. One of the greatest mistakes we can make is trying to resist the enemy in our own strength. Defeating him requires that we depend on heaven’s strength.

Self-effort will fail every time. By contrast, humbling ourselves before God positions us to receive an even greater supply of His grace. God promises us that when we resist the devil, he’ll flee from us. Doing this activates what Jesus has already accomplished, makes the enemy lose his foothold, and forces him to retreat.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. In this regard, humility is a powerful weapon in the life of a believer. Instead of carrying the weight of our concerns, we can place every worry, burden, and anxious thought into God’s hands because He genuinely cares for us. Staying dependent on Him teaches us that His strength is more than enough for every challenge we face.

Our thoughts are powerful and we therefore must be the gatekeeper of whichever mindset we choose. The beliefs we embrace influence the direction of our lives; as we think, so are we. Jesus Himself warned us to pay close attention to what we hear, because the closer we listen, the more we receive. Consistently hearing, valuing, and meditating on God’s Word grows in influence and produces a great harvest in our lives.

Depending on God gives us better results than we could ever achieve on our own. When Jesus sent the disciples on a mission, He sent them without money bags, knapsacks, or sandals. When they returned, they had lacked for nothing. This applies to us as well—whenever God gives us an assignment, He also equips us to fulfill it. Trusting Him for our success strengthens and empowers us tremendously.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your abundant and loving care. Help us to stay humble and trust You completely. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

James 4:6, 7, NLT

1 Peter 5:5, 6, NLT

Proverbs 23:7

Mark 4:24, NLT

Luke 10:1-4, NKJV

Luke 22:35

Hebrews 13:21, NLT