Dependence

Dependence

MY QUESTION for GOD

How can I learn to depend more on God?

A MOMENT with GOD

My God gave me the idea to call together all the nobles and leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration.

Nehemiah 7:5

Nehemiah gave God credit for the idea to register the people. This is different from the glib way that some people say, “The Lord told me . . .” to support their own plans or opinions. Rather, Nehemiah lived with a constant sense of God’s presence. His life was a moment-by-moment conversation with God, even as he energetically pursued his ambitious agenda. There are many simple strategies you can use to grow more aware of God’s involvement in your life and depend on him more. Try placing a note on your telephone reminding you to say a quick prayer whenever you pick up the receiver. Or set the alarm on your watch to sound every sixty minutes; when it goes off, take thirty seconds to review how the Lord has been with you the last hour, and ask him to help you in the hour ahead. Growing more dependent upon God will only be hindered by your own inattention, not God’s.

DIVINE PROMISE

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD AND HAVE MADE THE LORD THEIR HOPE AND CONFIDENCE. THEY ARE LIKE TREES PLANTED ALONG A RIVERBANK, WITH ROOTS THAT REACH DEEP INTO THE WATER. SUCH TREES ARE NOT BOTHERED BY THE HEAT OR WORRIED BY LONG MONTHS OF DROUGHT. THEIR LEAVES STAY GREEN, AND THEY NEVER STOP PRODUCING FRUIT.   Jeremiah 17:7-8