Daily Dependence Upon God

Chuckle: "What'll you do when you are as big as your father?" "Diet," replied the young boy.

Quote: "Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake." --Victor Hugo

"Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God!" (Psalm 3:7a NIV). "So be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord!" (Psalm 31:24 NIV).

Each of us can draw a valuable lesson from the experiences and words of King David. As David awoke from his peaceful sleep (verse 5), he asked God to guide his every move throughout the day and rescue him from his enemies. David's enemies were the advancing armies of his rebellious son, Absalom, but we face our own enemies every day. Peter warns us, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).

If we are to live the victorious life, we too must learn to call on the Lord for guidance and deliverance day by day. "From the LORD comes deliverance" (Ps. 3:8a). We must learn to trust in Him for the victory each day that He alone can win for us. Every day we need God's power to help us defend ourselves from the wiles of Satan and the evil accomplices he has working for him.

This attitude of dependence on God is sometimes difficult for us, because, after all, "I'm pretty good at taking care of my self." For this attitude of dependence to take root in our lives, we must humble ourselves to the point that we realize that without God we can do nothing that really matters (John 15:5b NIV).

A good habit that can help us stay dependent upon our Lord, is the use of "breath prayers." This is a habit which takes time to develop, but the ultimate outcome should be a brief, one breath, prayer before we make each daily decision facing us whether minor or major. "Lord help me make the right decision in this matter."

Paul tells us to "let this attitude (mind) be in you that is also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). It is God's desire to make us more like Jesus every day. If He is to do this, we must make ourselves shapeable in His hands like clay is to the potter. As we depend upon Him for strength and allow ourselves to be molded into the likeness of Jesus, then our minds/attitudes will become more and more like His.

Let's learn from David. Each morning when you awaken, take a moment to express your dependence on God and ask for His guidance and deliverance from evil influences during the day. Then follow this up during the day with breath prayers as you seek God's help in dealing with each issue you face. Ask God to give you the strength to walk in victory every moment of every day.

Love, Jerry & Dotse