Reliance on Me

Although self-sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom.

Dear Jesus,

Walking to the world’s tempo is tempting at times. The desire to blend in can be both subtle and powerful. Self-sufficiency is certainly promoted in the world, sometimes to the point of self-deification. Though I don’t really want to be self-sufficient, I sometimes find myself trying to appear as if I am. I know better: I have discovered that depending on You is the way to live more abundantly. Whenever I face difficult situations, I am grateful I can rely on You to help me. Teach me to depend on You more and more.

Beloved, the first thing you must deal with is being overly concerned about appearances. Remember that I look at your heart, not your outward appearance. What is most important to Me should also be most important to you. Resist the desire to look good and blend in with the world. Recognize that most people who appear self-sufficient are actually struggling deeply; many are even dependent on harmful substances to help them keep up appearances.

Reliance on Me results in abundant living because it is the way I designed you to live: I created people to be dependent on Me. The essence of Adam and Eve’s first sin was their desire to be like God and thus capable of living independently. Ever since then, depending on Me continually has gone against the grain of human nature. Notice I said “continually”; this is the way I want you to rely on Me. Depending on Me in difficult circumstances is a good start. However, the more frequently you look to Me for help, the more you will find Me faithful. I sustain you moment by moment, so there is never a time when you don’t need Me. Awareness of your neediness is actually a rich blessing–connecting you to Me and My abundant supply!

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

— 1 Samuel 16:7

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said…” “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

— Genesis 3:4-5

“I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

— Psalm 16:8 AMP