Depend On God

Human strength won't always work for you.

Psalms 20:7-9  Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.  8  Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.  9  Give victory to our king, O LORD! Answer our cry for help.

Psalms 33:17-18  Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory, for all its strength, it cannot save you.  18  But the LORD watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love.

Psalms 147:10-13  He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might.  11  No, the LORD's delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love.  12  Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!  13  For He has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls.

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You have power we have more, that has been the way that nations have taken care of trouble throughout the ages, they used to count horses and chariots and now we count fighter jets and tanks.

God's children do the same thing, we build up as much strength and influence that we can so that we can handle life's problems, sooner or later we realize that we need to depend on the Lord. Our power doesn't impress him and he definitely doesn't need our help. The Lord keeps his eye on his children, those that put their hope and faith in him, the one's that aren't flexing their muscles because they know that the Lord is the one who saves.

The nation of Israel was a mighty fighting machine when they were right with God but as soon as they disobeyed him or they relied on their own strength, disaster was on the way. The Lord watched over the nation of Israel and he was anxious to bless them and protect them but sometimes they wanted to depend on themselves or the other nations that they signed treaties with.

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Jesus taught us the importance of staying close to him and getting our strength from him. Being a part of the vine is an awesome picture of our dependence on him, it is very easy to understand that if you stay on the vine you will produce fruit but if you try and be independent and rely on yourself then you are sure to fail.

Help me to rely on you Lord, you have proven that you are willing and able, I know that you will supply all of my needs.