On whom or what do I make myself dependent?

An Emoji Devotions for Sat, 10th of July 2021

Topic: On whom or what do I make myself dependent?

By H. U. Wenger

Highlights: Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1; if you have a chance, read the psalm from your bible.)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Psalm 106 discusses the love and goodness of God towards the people of Israel and their ingratitude towards him. The Holy Spirit was not yet poured out to the people and only God chosen leaders were filled with the spirit and had therefore the ability to live in the spirit. Jesus Christ is the first example of a human being who consequently showed us a life in the spirit. The Israelites saw their lives shaped by circumstances, by powerful people, by luck and misfortune. They cried out to the Lord in their need, the Lord brought them out of the difficulties, but it never brought them to bough down to the Lord and to consequently follow his commandments. Time and again their way was determined by the human and spiritual forces they deemed crafty, strong and invincible. Time and again they got disappointed and cried out to the Lord only after their wisdom or folly had leaded them into disaster. Does your Christian life resemble that pattern? If so, you are suffering unjustly and there is good news for you. Christ Jesus sternly refused to make himself in any way dependent from worldly powers or from the givens of his life. He carefully looked to be only dependent on his Heavenly Father. Whenever he got into difficult situations, and that happened often, he talked to the father and accepted his will. He then acted accordingly and so proved to be invincible for the Pharisees and Scribes as well as to the political authorities. He adamantly trusted his father with his whole existence. Living in the spirit means to make one dependent only from the Almighty God. In difficult situation I look to him. I am dealing with him, not with the circumstances. I do not deal with obnoxious and obstinate people, but with their creator, whom I know to be on my side. I trust that he will not let me down and never put me to shame. This is how Jesus lived with his Father during his life on earth. To his disciples he promised the same relationship with him through the Holy Spirit he poured out on them on Pentecost. That Spirit is now living in all who got born again. It is only a leap of faith to trust him, who has been given all authority in heaven and earth, more than we fear for our lives or for our reputation. Trusting Jesus and his Heavenly Father, makes us as steadfast and invincible as he himself has been.

In Colossians 3 the apostle Paul gives us a blueprint for how we can make us totally dependent on Jesus alone, the same way he was dependent on his Father alone. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus please grant me enough faith to make myself dependent on you alone. Thank you that by standing with you I will never stand alone! I know that you will never put me to shame. Praise be to your holy name! Amen.