Complete Dependence

Complete Dependence

“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” Genesis 41:16

MOST OF US ARE AFRAID to stick our necks out—or, in this case, to stick God’s neck out—like Joseph did after Pharaoh asked him to interpret his troubling dreams. But Joseph humbly disavowed any special ability of his own and put God’s reputation on the line. If Joseph wasn’t able to interpret the dreams, God would take the blame, and an opportunity to prove him in a foreign land would be missed. But Joseph had apparently come to understand his purpose in Egypt and why he had suffered all the adversity his brothers’ betrayal brought to him. He remembered his earlier years, when God had given him audacious dreams and promises. If Joseph had spent his years in slavery and prison assuming those dreams were just a misunderstanding, he never would have been able to promise an interpretation to Pharaoh. But he believed that his times and purposes were still in God’s hands.

The journey of faith will involve many more ups and downs than it already does if we spend much time wondering if we’ve gotten off track. God is sovereign over our circumstances and the path we’ve taken even if we think we missed key steps along the way. We don’t have to come to him with a sterling record of listening for direction, innate abilities to do great works, or even a solid understanding of the gifts he has given us. We simply need to come with an understanding that wherever we are, he wants to use us in that place and in that moment to reveal something of who he is to the people around us. We can have the faith that he will show up if we defer completely to him and offer ourselves in his service.

Self-confidence is not an attribute of faith. Dependence is. Our greatest moments of faith come when we recognize God at work in our lives and say yes. We don’t need to bring anything into that situation other than our willingness and confidence in him. He steps in to change lives, circumstances, and even nations.

Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest his power.