Trust Me
I do not like to be dependent on anyone. From a young age, my family treated independence as something to be praised. I remember coming home from Kindergarten and rushing inside to make a hotdog for lunch all by myself. My mom would praise how independent I was, and it became a distinct part of who I was. I didn’t need anyone for anything. The problem is that this concept is, in and of itself, a very immature thought. As children, we long for independence because we are innately dependent on others. As we grow and hopefully mature, we begin to realize we can be independent, but it is much better to be dependent on others.
The idea of independence, however, is a worldly concept, not a Godly one. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to speak at Youth Camp on none other than the 4th of July, Independence Day. This is a day that Americans celebrate every year, applauding our lack of need for help from any other country. It is a proud holiday. But in my preparation, the Holy Spirit began to reveal the paradigm of the Kingdom of Heaven. On earth, we strive for independence; but in God’s Kingdom, we surrender our independence for complete dependence on Him. We do not have a Declaration of Independence, but rather a Declaration of Dependence.
Inside the Tabernacle is actually a beautiful reminder of our need for dependence on God, and that is the Table of Showbread. This is a picture that points to Jesus, who is our Bread of Life. He is the very thing that can sustain both our physical and spiritual bodies.
“The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. - John 6:33-35a NLT
We still struggle with our natural selves, as we strive for control. "We are the captains of our own fate," or something like that. It's fine, I guess, but it's not the best. If we can surrender to what is best and live moment by moment fully surrendered to the Spirit, we can begin to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us. The reality is that we have very little control over it all anyway, but God is always taking care of His children.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:25-34 NLT
JOURNAL: What are some areas you are having a hard time releasing to the Spirit? Write out a Declaration of Dependence on God. Ask Him to remind you that dependence is not weakness but the greatest display of strength in the Kingdom of God.
The idea of independence, however, is a worldly concept, not a Godly one. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to speak at Youth Camp on none other than the 4th of July, Independence Day. This is a day that Americans celebrate every year, applauding our lack of need for help from any other country. It is a proud holiday. But in my preparation, the Holy Spirit began to reveal the paradigm of the Kingdom of Heaven. On earth, we strive for independence; but in God’s Kingdom, we surrender our independence for complete dependence on Him. We do not have a Declaration of Independence, but rather a Declaration of Dependence.
Inside the Tabernacle is actually a beautiful reminder of our need for dependence on God, and that is the Table of Showbread. This is a picture that points to Jesus, who is our Bread of Life. He is the very thing that can sustain both our physical and spiritual bodies.
“The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. - John 6:33-35a NLT
We still struggle with our natural selves, as we strive for control. "We are the captains of our own fate," or something like that. It's fine, I guess, but it's not the best. If we can surrender to what is best and live moment by moment fully surrendered to the Spirit, we can begin to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us. The reality is that we have very little control over it all anyway, but God is always taking care of His children.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:25-34 NLT
JOURNAL: What are some areas you are having a hard time releasing to the Spirit? Write out a Declaration of Dependence on God. Ask Him to remind you that dependence is not weakness but the greatest display of strength in the Kingdom of God.
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