You jump in the ocean, swim for a few minutes, turn around to look at your family and friends, and they have moved! In reality, you have moved, and you didn’t even realize it. Slowly the current moved you down the beach. You drifted without knowing that you were moving.

Just like the subtle movement in the ocean, has our recognition of the need for God subtly left? Have we subtly lost our dependence on God without recognition?

My grandfather lived in rural Mississippi, on a cotton farm. He was fully dependent on God for everything, and I mean everything. Sure, they worked hard in the fields, but, at the end of the day, their success was dependent on God. If they did not receive good weather, they struggled for a year. Their occupation, location, and situation drove the need for God. They could depend on nothing else.

Today, dependence seems to be pointed toward our own abilities, government, maybe an organization that believes as we do, our money, etc. Subtly, we place our hope, our dependence, away from God, in fact, we fight dependence on God. If you support an issue or group of people, you are welcomed, celebrated, maybe even recognized as a thought leader. However, bring in the name of God as the answer, and the discussion changes. We naturally seem to fight dependence on God. Take in the below words of David written about 2,000 years ago.

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue— those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:1-2

Jesus taught complete dependence on God. As he gives instructions to the 12 disciples before sending them out, Jesus clearly emphasizes where their dependence should reside.

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.” Matthew 10:9-10

Jesus told them to take no money, no protection, no change of clothing. Dependence was to be completely on God.

Lest we begin pointing fingers at others, we are all in the same boat, guilty as charged. We read the news of the day, and, without recognizing it, place our passions, our hope, our future, our dependence on one group or another. We give our all, mainly through our voices on social media, to politicians to issues to manmade beliefs. Many times, the One we are to be dependent on is left out of the discussion.

David’s words steady the soul.

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, Psalm 12:5-7

He will rise and keep the needy safe, protecting us forever.

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