Celebrate Dependence Day

Celebrate Dependence Day

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.”

Jeremiah 17:5

The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.

Lamentations 3:25

“I can do it myself! I don’t need any help!” This is the voice of independence. It is inside each one of us, and it has run in our families as far back as Adam and Eve, who wanted to be like God rather than being dependent on God for everything. They had their own ideas about what they needed for a good life, and their rebellion lives on in us.

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” What does it mean to become like little children? It means that we are dependent on God as our heavenly Father, rather than stubbornly and independently thinking we can take care of ourselves. The independent person says, “I’m in charge of my life. I’m free to do what I please and choose what I want. I will take care of myself. I really don’t need God’s provision or protection. And I really don’t need Christ’s righteousness. Mine is good enough.”

The world tells us to give ourselves a pep talk, saying, I can do it. I just need to believe in myself. But Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Rather than seeking to become more self-confident, we need to strive to become more God-reliant. Rather than seeking and celebrating independence, it is actually dependence that is worth celebrating.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What are some things you can’t do for yourself?

How can prayer encourage our sense of dependence on God?

What types of experiences help to deepen our dependence on God?