CENTRAL THOUGHT
Dependence on God guarantees our safety and success in life.
HYMN: My faith looks to thee
TEXT: DAN. 3:8-30; PSA. 62:5- 12.
INTRODUCTION:
The Almighty God is the Creator of all things visible and invisible. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” ( Ps.24:1). All things were made by God and without Him was not anything made that was made. Our God has all the resources that we need to live a fulfilled life. He is all powerful and with Him there is no impossibility. Believers must have trust and confidence in God’s ability because He can never fail.
Whatever God has promised, He is also able to accomplish.
Lesson Objectives:
- To explain the phrase “depending on God.
- State why we should depend on God.
- Discuss how one can depend on God.
- Identify the dangers of not depending on God.
- Discuss some Biblical examples of those who depended on God.
- Discuss the promises for those who depend on God.
(Q1). WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “DEPENDING ON GOD”?
(PROV.3:5-7; PSA. 27:1; 28:7).
The phrase “depending on God” means to have absolute confidence in God’s word and His power. It also means total reliance on God in all areas of life and situations. We need to depend on God in order to succeed and live a fulfilled life. The Psalmist was very conscious of this truth and acknowledged this in Ps. 28:7a “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped”. Depending on God connotes trusting God completely, believing absolutely that He is able to take us through all life’s issues.
(Q2). WHY SHOULD WE DEPEND ON GOD?
(ISA.26:4; Ps.20:7-8).
The scriptures says “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” ( John 1:12). Therefore, as children of God we must depend on our Father for everything. The following are some of the reasons why we must depend on God:
-One of the commandments God gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness expressly demands that we must depend on God alone. When we put our trust in anything or any other being other than God we are breaking the second commandment which states “Though shall not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4). We should depend on God fully in complete obedience to His word.
-God is the only one who has enough strength to support us in all circumstances. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psa.46:1-2).
God has all the resources needed to sustain us through life’s journey, therefore we must depend on Him because in Him is everlasting strength.
-Another reason we must depend on God is that He is the only one who hears and answers prayers. “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come” (Ps.65:2). In prayers we bring our requests to Him and are fully assured that we will receive answers to our prayers. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil.4:6).
-We need to depend on God because He is the only one who can do all things. God created all things and everything is under His control so there is nothing that is impossible with Him.
“…With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mk.10:27). This assurance that nothing is impossible with God gives us confidence that we can depend on His infallible word. He has also declared, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” (Jer.32:27). Certainly, there is nothing too hard for our God.
Those who depend on man or any other thing apart from the Almighty God will surely fail, because He has all the resources and is always willing to help us. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov.29:25).
Q3. HOW CAN ONE DEPEND ON GOD?
The starting point for anyone who desires to depend on God is to first accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord, Savior and Master. In other words such a person must establish a relationship with Christ. He must be born again (John 1:12; 1Cor.1:9). You cannot depend on someone you do not know or whose ability to assist you is not certain. Therefore, to have first-hand knowledge of God’s ability is very pertinent in depending on Him. In addition to having a personal relationship with God, we need to grow in the knowledge of Him by regular study of God’s word. By studying the word of God, we will know Him better and the word will help us to pattern our lives towards that which will be pleasing to Him (Col.3:16). We also need the in filling of the Holy Spirit in order to depend on God effectively
(Eph.5:18). This is because it is the indwelling and leading of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer that shows that such a person is a child of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom.8:14). Faith in God and His capability is very crucial in depending on God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb.11:6).
(Q4). WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF NOT DEPENDING ON GOD?
Those who refuse to have absolute dependence on God are exposed to many dangers. Such persons will continue to live under perpetual damnation as long as they refuse to trust God and accept Jesus as their Savior. “…. But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” ( Jn.3:18b). Another danger of not depending on God is that such a person will consistently live a life of defeat. God’s covering and protection will be far from such a person and so will live perpetually under the torture of the devil. Such people are cursed. “Thus saith the Lord; cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord (Jer.17:5). God is displeased with those who do not depend on Him and as such cannot fight for them. The peace of God is far from those who do not depend on Him. “There is no peace saith the Lord unto the wicked” ( Isa.48:22).
(Q5). GIVE SOME BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO DEPENDED ON GOD.
There are many Biblical examples of those who depended on God as they faced life’s challenges. God gave them victory and took over the various challenges they faced. Some of them are discussed below:
-Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:5-7; 20:3-7): Hezekiah was one of the kings of Judah. He depended on God and had absolute confidence in God’s ability to deliver him and his people from their enemies. When Sennacherib the king of Assyria came with his people to wage war against the people of Judah, King Hezekiah sought the face of God with all the people of Judah. He prayed and said “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only” (2 Kings 19:19). In another instance, when Hezekiah was sick and was told to set his house in order because his sickness was unto death, he set his face to the wall and prayed unto God. His prayers were heard and God immediately sent the prophet Isaiah to him to say “I heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 20:5). Hezekiah enjoyed all these because he depended totally on God. “He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him” (2 Kings 18:5).
-The three Hebrew children (Dan.3:17): Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego were three Hebrew young men carried captive among others to the land of Babylon. Although they were not in their home country, they did not lose confidence in God at all. Their trust was in God and His ability to save and deliver them from the onslaught of King Nebuchadnezzar who commanded that everybody under the domain should serve and fall down to worship the golden image he had set up. If anyone would not comply with the King’s directive then such a person would be thrown into the burning fiery furnace at the command of the King. When King Nebuchadnezzar was informed about the refusal of the three Hebrew young men to serve or fall to worship the image, he was very furious and threatened them, but that did not change their conviction of not worshipping the golden image. Their response to the King revealed how dogged they were regarding their faith and allegiance to God. “…..O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand O King” (Dan.3:16-17).
-Peter (Acts.3:6): Apostle Peter showed total dependence on God when me met with the man lame from his mother’s womb who was carried daily to the gate of the temple to beg for alms. Peter and John came to the temple at the hour of prayer. On that particular day Peter asked the lame man to look on him and John, then boldly and confidently said to him “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). After that pronouncement Peter lifted up the man by the right hand and immediately the man’s feet and ankle bone’s received strength and he stood and started limping for joy. God will always honor His name in the lives of those who trust in His infinite power and ability.
-Paul (Acts 27:22-25): Paul’s confidence in God’s was unwavering even in the midst of danger, affliction and death. The ship that was taking Paul and others was faced with much tempest such that all hope of safety was lost. But Paul was so confident that God whose he was and whom he served had sent His angel with a message of hope that no life would be lost. He was bold to say to the other people within the ship “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God that it shall be even as it was told me” (Acts 27:25). Paul was sure and confident in God’s ability to take him through all life’s challenges that he could declare “For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim.1:12).
Q6. WHAT ARE THE PROMISES FOR THOSE WHO DEPEND ON GOD?
(PS.31:19; 32:10; 34:22; JER.17:7)
There are numerous promises God has given to those who depend on Him. God’s favor and blessings will be enjoyed by those who depend on Him. God has laid up great things for those who fear and trust Him. God has promised those who depend on Him mercy. Those who depend on God will enjoy God’s preservation and safety “… but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov.29:25b). Those that trust and depend on God shall be firmly established in Him. “They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever” (Ps.125:1). Other promises for those who depend on God include among others divine instruction and guidance. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go. I will guide thee with my eye” (Ps.32:8). God has promised those who depend on Him peace, which surpasses all human understanding. Isaiah the prophet was certain of this and wrote “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isa.26:3). The ultimate and greatest of the promises of God is that of the gift of eternal life. No matter the issues, we must consistently depend on God because He will certainly carry us through all life’s challenges. As we remain steadfast in Him all these promises and more shall be ours.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Our God is ever dependable. He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. There is nothing He cannot do. He is not limited by time or space. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself mighty on behalf of them whose hearts is perfect toward Him” (2 Chron.16:9). The Scripture is filled with people who succeeded in life because they depended only on God. Our God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not diminish in power. We can depend on Him and rest assured that He is able to keep to the uttermost that which we have committed unto Him.
Memory Verse:
Isaiah 26:3
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
Monday: Help in God.
Prov.3:5-7; Psa.28:7.
Tuesday: Why I should depend on God.
Psa.65:2; Mk.10:27; Jer.32:27.
Wednesday: Faith in God and His ability crucial in depending on God. Heb.11:6.
Thursday: Don’t trust/depend on any man.
Jer.17:5; Isa.48:22.
Friday: King Hezekiah depended on God.
2 Kings.18:5-7; 20:3-7
Saturday: Three young men in captivity depended on God. Dan.3:8-30.