Newborn Dependency & Mommy Dependency

I have a three week old and her dependency on me for everything helped me reflect on my own dependency. My sweet little bundle depends on me for all life's necessities: cleanliness, food, safety, and even sleep. Babies do not have wants, they have needs and it is mommy's job to fulfill them.

Like newborns, mommy's have similar needs. It does not matter whether or not we accept the authority of Scripture and actually believe everything it states about our dependency, the truth is quite simply that, like my three week old, we depend on God for everything. The Bible states that everything under the sun is His. When David prays to God after the Israelites gave riches galore for the building of the temple he reveals just how much we depend on Him,

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is yours." (1 Chronicles 29:11) 

He goes on to say that what they've given, they're just giving back,

"For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." (1 Chronicles 29:14) 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 not to worry because He provides our clothing and our food. The Bible clearly states that He gives and takes away (Job 1:21). Our dependency goes as far as our own salvation! For Paul states over and over again in his letters, but it's explicitly clear in Ephesians that we are dead in our sin and are alive only because of the work Christ accomplished on the cross,

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is n ow at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved, and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:1-9, bolded mine) 

Once we cast away our fears and rely on God for things that are seemingly small in nature (like food and clothing) we begin to see His hand in the big things as well. It is so easy to see God's sovereign hand in life when we focus on His sovereign hand in the Bible. And the Bible has much to say about all that He's in control of and just how far our dependency reaches. Once we understand our dependency, trusting Him becomes easier and worrying becomes less.

So on days like today when I am forced to trust in God after coming home to our car being involved in a hit and run, I must trust Him. Or when I struggle with selfishness, pride, foolishness, faithlessness, I must trust Him to change my heart. Whether our pantry is full or empty, I must trust Him. Whether our bank account is full or empty, I must trust Him. On those days my children test my patience, trust Him.

Trust Him with childlike dependence.

Like newborns trust their mommy's, mommy's depend on God the same way.

How do we let go and trust Him in all circumstances?

On those days when your trust wavers pray.

When you're having "one of those days" go to Scripture and read stories of men and women who trusted in God in all circumstances: Abraham when God told him to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 22), Joseph's response after his brothers sold him into slavery (50:20), Job when he lost everything (Job 38-42), Naomi when she to lost her husband and sons (Ruth 1-4)... Despite the pride of Joseph when he spoke to his brothers before they sold him, or Job's inability to stop talking and consider the wondrous works of God, or Naomi's bitterness... God was and is faithful. He is worthy of trust because He is sovereign, wise, mighty, and everything belongs to Him, even our own breath.

John Piper articulates the importance of Scripture best with this incredible statement,

"Scripture was written to awaken and sustain our hope, especially in times of suffering when you are tempted to think that God's sovereignty is not believable."

Finally, on those days trust wavers, listen to the lyrics in this incredible song, Sovereign Over Us by Aaron Keyes.

When beyond our understanding, You're teaching us to trust... 

Even in the valley You are faithful!

Lord, help me to depend on you like my newborn depends on me! In good times and in bad, I know you are faithful and worthy of trust.