God Raises Us to be Dependent

I was so young the first time I heard my parents tell me they were kicking me out of the house at age 21 that I had nightmares of my 21st birthday. I fully expected that they would usher me to the front door, toss me in the air like a bouncy ball, and literally kick me out into the front yard.

Of course, now I know what that was all about. They started me young on the idea that they were raising me to be independent. They didn’t want me to think for a second that they were taking care of me for the rest of my life.

The way God raises us spiritually is completely opposite of that. He doesn’t, for a second, want us to depend on ourselves, but on him. Think of those verses in Proverbs that astound us each time we read them: Pro 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

That is his testimony throughout the Bible. We are studying the word and concept of testimonies in Ps. 119. The word is used 23 times in that chapter. The two testimonies verses for today made me think of examples of dependence on God and not on self ability.  

Psalms 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

The testimonies of Christ are especially wonderful. More than 25 years ago, I soaked up how he handled unfair treatment, as I mentioned yesterday. To this day, I use Christ’s testimony as a guide to handling tough situations. Here it is again: 1Pe 2:22-23  (22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  (23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. That testimony is amazing. Can I remember to commit myself to him rather than fight for myself.

Psalms 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Sometimes his testimonies involve a commandment. Here’s one. The Spirit of the Lord is speaking in 2 Chron. 20:15&17  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's…. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. So, they believed the testimony that God commanded, and they began to sing and praise God. And here’s the rest of the story: 2Ch 20:22  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. God’s testimonies that he commanded here were righteous and very faithful. I learn from them. God raises me, not to be independent, but dependent on him. He wants to come through for me, not me for myself.