Dependence On God

Definition: Relying on God’s power through weakness; looking to God alone for salvation—not any other power or oneself; allowing oneself to experience suffering and weakness so that God’s power can be displayed; looking to God to help others, not one’s own power.

Jesus’ Passion
Mark 14:32-40
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew the suffering he was to undergo. And so he announced to his disciples that he was praying. He didn’t run away. He didn’t muster up an army. He didn’t figure out how to defend himself in his trials. He didn’t come up with brilliant speeches so others would believe in him. Rather, he trusted exclusively in God and in God’s power. He told his three trusted disciples to pray as well, but they wanted to sleep. They were relying on their flesh to get them through. Jesus, although the fullness of God rested in him, did not rely on himself or his current relationship with God. Instead, he looked to God for strength and relied only on him.

Matthew 27:41-43
Even Jesus’ enemies recognized that Jesus was depending on God alone. They mocked him for it. They didn’t depend only on God—they depended on God through their temple, through their traditions. God wasn’t enough for them and so they mocked Jesus who waited only on God.

Jesus’ ministry
Matthew 4:3-4
The devil was tempting Jesus to do miracles on his own authority, for his own need. Jesus declared his dependence, not on bread or on his power, but rather on God’s word. All throughout this episode, Jesus said that God would give Jesus all he needed, in his own time and that Jesus need not depend on anything else. Temptation is to depend on something other than God.

John 5:19-20
In speaking about his miracles and healings, Jesus declares his full dependence on the Father. The Father is the one who leads Jesus to pray what he prays, to declare what he declares. Without the Father, there would be no ministry, no teaching.

Jesus’ teaching
Matthew 10
When Jesus sent out his disciples, he had them do their ministry with nothing that they brought on their own. And their ministry itself was that which was given to them—they had no power to heal in themselves, God had to heal. They had no power to cast out demons, the authority of Jesus did that. The message they declared was not their message, but Jesus’ message of the kingdom.

Mark 6:34-44; Mark 8:16-21
Jesus was giving the disciples a lesson in ministry. They could do anything if they had God’s power behind it. The people were in need, and they relied on Jesus. Therefore, God would provide the food to feed them. So Jesus told the disciples to feed them, by God’s power. The disciples didn’t understand God’s power, and so they didn’t know how to feed them. Later on, they still didn’t understand. They were still wondering what they would do about bread. Jesus was helping them focus on the teaching they had already received, by example—bread is not the issue, but dependence on God’s power. If you rely on God, God will provide.

John 12:23-33
Jesus was making a general principle for everyone—himself and all of his disciples. If someone wants to have righteousness in God, then he needs to die. Not dying alone, but dying in dependence in God. Even so, Jesus prayed to the Father and the Father responded. Jesus could rely on the voice, just as he could rely on God’s power to raise him and to be honored by God. If anyone wants honor from God, they need to depend on Him and His power.

NT Teaching
II Corinthians 1:9; 12:10; 13:4
Some of the Corinthians were mocking and downgrading Paul because of his sufferings and persecutions and weaknesses. Paul himself didn’t find these particularly pleasing. He would rather have ministered from a position of strength. However, God declared to him that it is through his weaknesses that God’s power would be displayed. Only if Paul relys on God for his ministry will the ministry be effective—for only in this way will it come from God. Thus, Paul rejoices and is content with his weaknesses because he knows that it is only in this way that God will be honored.

Actions of dependence

Pray for deliverance—your own and others’. (Luke 18:1-8)

Wait for God’s power to deliver, not taking it into your own hands.

Not relying on the government for peace or deliverance.

Not being angry at social services, family or friends for not helping you.

Giving up of what you have for those in greater need than you. (Luke 12:33)

Not looking to money for help, but looking for God to provide your needs. (Matthew 6:24-32)

Not waiting for a “minimum amount” in order to do the ministry God called you to. (Luke 10)

Being happy about your weaknesses, because it gives God an opportunity to display his power. (II Corinthians 12:10)

Not taking legal action against those who have done you wrong. (I Corinthians 6; Luke 6)

Not building up a lot of things for your security. (Matthew 6:19)

Being bold in the ministry God called you to, even if others are displeased. (Matthew 10)

Seeking God’s ultimate deliverance in his coming kingdom and not looking for “quick fixes” in your suffering. (Mark 13)

Allowing God’s power to fulfill his promises, not shady schemes. (Genesis 16)