Think About It…

Declaring Your Dependence Upon God

July 4, 1776.  A date which all in the United States of America are very familiar with.  From young, school-aged children to those who are many years their elder, July 4, 1776 carries special significance.  For it is upon that day that the Colonists in the New World declared their collective independence from the authority of the British Crown.  They had come to collectively determine that the King of England was being unfair and harsh in his treatment towards them.  Enough was enough, independence was declared, and a country was soon born.

Unlike the King of England during Colonial times, the God we serve is a benevolent, patient, caring ruler who always has His subject’s best interests in mind.  He is not “out to get us,” and does not take pleasure in seeing us fail.  He is not greedy.  In fact, He is just the opposite.  After all, He gave up his only begotten Son, so that those who believed in Him would not perish, but would have everlasting life (John 3:16).

During this time of the year when America’s independence from a king is celebrated, can we think of a few ways in which the Christian, who knows no nationality, is dependent upon the King of kings?  How about our physical sustenance?  The air that we breathe, the food that we eat, and the water that we drink.  Even in today’s society, where religion is regularly mocked, many still say a prayer of thanks prior to eating a meal at home.  And while the prayer itself may at times seem rote, the fact that many do still take the time to ask a blessing upon a meal does show an acknowledgement of our dependence upon God as our Provider and as the One who can actually bless the meal.

We also depend upon God for our protection and overall well-being.  He loves us, cares for us, and wants us to be successful in all of our endeavors.  Like a caring parent who nurtures an infant, so too does our Father in heaven nurture us.  He does so through His Word, the Bible, and through his servants, His ministers.  Reading the Bible is highly beneficial since every scripture that is inspired of God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).  This goes hand-in-hand with listening to God’s Word expounded through the preaching of God’s faithful ministry (Romans 10:14-15).

These are but a few of the things that we are dependent upon from God.  The list, of course, could go on and on.  Have you ever taken the time to think about how you are dependant upon the Creator of all things?  Now is the perfect time to jot down your own personal list.  There are many things that we may take for granted, but if you give it a little thought, you may be surprised at how large your list may grow!

This year, while millions are celebrating a day of independence from the harsh rule of man, why not take the time to declare your dependence upon the benevolent rule of God?