Dependence

Dependence arising from a sense of helplessness

Physical helplessness

Psalm 18:6 KJV 1900

In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of his temple, And my cry came before him, even into his ears.

See also Ps 107:4–6; Ps 116:6; Mk 4:38; Mk 5:25–26

Spiritual helplessness

Is 64:6; Mk 9:17–18; Ro 5:6; Ro 7:18

Dependence on God encouraged

God is to be trusted

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

See also Ex 14:31; Dt 8:3; Ps 4:5; Ps 9:10; Ps 20:7; Ps 37:3; Pr 3:5–6; Na 1:7; Jn 15:4–5

God is a refuge

Psalm 46:1 KJV 1900

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

See also Dt 33:27; Ps 62:8; Ps 71:1

God can help those who depend on him

Hebrews 13:6 KJV 1900

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

See also Ps 118:6–7; Ps 22:4–5; Ps 33:18–20; Ps 94:17–18

God will help those who depend on him

Luke 11:13 KJV 1900

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

See also Ps 121:2–4; Ps 145:18–19; Jas 1:5

Examples of failure to depend on God

Nu 20:12; Dt 1:32; Dt 9:23; 2 Ki 17:14; Ps 49:6; Ps 49:13; Is 42:17

Dependence on God for physical help

2 Ch 20:12 Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.

See also 2 Ki 19:14 Hezekiah; 2 Ch 13:18 the men of Judah

Asa:

2 Ch 14:11; 2 Ch 16:8

Ps 22:9–10 David; Mt 9:27–28 two blind men; Jn 2:3–5 Mary; 2 Co 1:8–10 Paul

Dependence on God for spiritual needs

Mk 10:14–15 Childlike dependence is necessary for those who would enter God’s kingdom; Jn 3:27

See also Ru 2:12; Lk 23:40–42; Lk 24:47–49; 2 Co 3:4–5

Dependence on God expressed in prayer

Psalm 5:2 KJV 1900

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: For unto thee will I pray.

See also Ps 22:24; Ps 88:13; Ps 102:1; Ps 119:147; Ps 130:1–2

Examples of those crying out in dependence on God

Ex 2:23 the Israelites in Egypt; Job 30:28 Job in his suffering; Is 30:19 the people of Jerusalem; La 3:55 Jeremiah; Jon 2:2 Jonah from within the fish; Lk 18:13 the tax collector in the temple; Ac 12:5 the church praying for Peter; 2 Co 1:11 the Corinthians praying for Paul

Misplaced dependence

Dependence on surrounding nations

Jeremiah 2:18 KJV 1900

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

See also 2 Ki 18:20–21; Is 31:1

Dependence on false gods and religions

Psalm 40:4 KJV 1900

Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

See also Dt 31:20; Is 42:17; Col 2:8

Dependence on human strength and resources

Je 17:5; Ro 9:16

See also Ps 33:16–17; Ps 118:8–9; Ps 127:1–2; Eph 2:8–9

Dependence on sinful behaviour

Is 30:12; Is 59:4

The futility of misplaced dependence

Pr 25:19; Je 2:13

See also Is 8:6–8; Is 31:3; Ho 10:13–14; Ac 12:20; 1 Th 4:11–12

A proper dependence on others is commended

Human help can strengthen

Galatians 6:2 KJV 1900

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

See also Ec 4:9–12

Examples of a right dependence on others

Le 21:3 a priest’s support for an unmarried sister

Support for the poor and needy:

Dt 15:11; Mt 25:35–36

1 Sa 29:6 Achish found David to be a reliable soldier; Is 8:2 Uriah and Zechariah were reliable witnesses; 2 Ti 2:2 Reliable teachers are a blessing to the church.