“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5 ESV
We have a tendency to read and hear the same Bible verses so much that we eventually become numb to the Truth.
We have a tendency to read and hear the same Bible verses so much that we eventually become numb to the Truth. We become blind to the reality of the words and we recite them as a religious exercise. Our true belief, excitement, and satisfaction of knowing the Truth of Scripture slowly begins to dwindle. We merely say without believing; recite without meditating; read without contemplating. Our lives are furthered by repetitive knowledge of the Truth, but not a true in depth understanding.
We must learn the path of becoming wholly dependent upon God. There is no other way. Without Him, we have nothing. With Him, we have everything. This is a timeless Truth and one that needs reflection. For if we did not have Christ, we would not have newness of life. Those who repent and believe are those who have received the Holy Spirit. He is our Guide and Compass. He loves us and moves us towards the things of God and convicts us of the things that are not of God. He is the Spirit of the Living God Who said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6 ESV).
Many times, God must eliminate all human resources in order that He alone will TRULY get the glory. Yes, we tell ourselves that if God answers our prayer we will give Him all the glory, but how often do we fail this promise? Ecclesiastes 5:4 (ESV) says, “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.” All of us are guilty of making promises to God that we have not kept. We either back out, become negligent, or fail to recognize that only God has delivered us. It wasn’t money, people, or resources that delivered us; it was God alone.
The redundancy of Scripture many times leads us into a state of complacency. We become idle to realities and exalt self as an idol above God. We believe that we can do more, move faster, and get things done more efficiently without God.
Only God can deliver us from circumstances that seem too far gone. Only He can operate based upon the way that He chooses. For He is Eternal and Boundless. At any moment He can do exactly what He desires. The question is, do we truly believe in His Sovereignty and Omnipresence? Do we truly believe that if we trust in the Lord with all our heart, He will answer? Again, the redundancy of Scripture many times leads us into a state of complacency. We become idle to realities and exalt self as an idol above God. We believe that we can do more, move faster, and get things done more efficiently without God. Yet, is it not God Who gives us our very breath (Isaiah 42:5)?
Our contentment comes from trust and child-like faith in God, not in continual striving towards that which our carnality desires.
We must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 ESV). When we put God at the forefront and do not become numb to His revealed truths, life becomes easier. We learn the art of contentment and satisfaction in all things. We can be as Paul and declare, “ I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV). For our contentment comes from trust and child-like faith in God, not in continual striving towards that which our carnality desires.
Financial strains can deteriorate one's self-confidence. It can demotivate one into a cataclysmic spiral that ends only in ruin. One can become so depressed, so anxious, and so angry that they either do whatever it takes to get money or they fall stagnant in their willingness to provide. They become their own worst enemy and laziness sets in. Whatever the case may be when it comes to finances, we must learn to keep our lives free from the "love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV).
Whatever the financial strain may be, I have seen God provide. There are too many stories of God working a miracle and delivering the exact amount of what someone truly needed. Too many times we become beggars and live off the work and kindness of others. This mindset is one that is impoverished and does not aid in anything. It seeks to utilize and manipulate those who are too nice to say “no”. However, many who have prayed and asked God for a miracle have seen God prove His faithfulness. ““Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”” (Matthew 6:26 ESV).
The more we focus on God, the less perturbed we become from the things of this life. The more we seek God, the less the world’s attractions and enticements arouse us. The more we understand that we are born again children of the Living God, the more we are able to endure strife, persecution, famine, adversity, and trial for the sake of God's glory.
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 ESV). The more we focus on God, the less perturbed we become from the things of this life. The more we seek God, the less the world’s attractions and enticements arouse us. The more we understand that we are born again children of the Living God, the more we are able to endure strife, persecution, famine, adversity, and trial for the sake of God's glory. For Christ went through the same exact things that we did, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). “And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8 ESV).
When we take time to meditate on the reality that Christ was Thee God-man; that He truly walked this earth, truly suffered and died, and that He did all this because He loved us, then how can we not endure our momentary afflictions which is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17)? If the Lord Jesus Christ trusted in His Heavenly Father to provide, how can we neglect God and depend on ourselves and other exteriors? We must cling to the promises of God and believe that He sees us, loves us, cares for us, and has a purpose for us.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15 ESV). We must seek the will of God and “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV). “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).
God desires to save us, sanctify us, and sustain us. We must learn the art of becoming wholly dependent upon Him.
God desires to save us, sanctify us, and sustain us. We must learn the art of becoming wholly dependent upon Him. For He is the God “Who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6 ESV).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we glory in the reality that You love us and desire to have a living relationship with us. You are the One, Lord Jesus, Who descended from On High and paved a way for us to come and know You. You alone, Holy Spirit, are the One Who helps us to be pure and holy. As You continue to sanctify us, Holy Spirit, help us to truly understand the Word of God. May we not merely know, but do. May we not merely hear, but believe. May we not merely memorize, but understand. God, whatever the struggle or trial, help us to depend upon You. For You alone can deliver and provide. You alone, O God, are the One we place our trust in. Move mightily within our lives and within our day. May we see Your power and Your glory manifested. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine
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