Dependence

Dependence arising from a sense of helplessness

Physical helplessness

Psalm 18:6 NASB95

In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came 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 NASB95

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive 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 NASB95

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 NASB95

so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to 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 NASB95

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who 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 NASB95

Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You 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 NASB95

“But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the Euphrates?

See also 2 Ki 18:20–21; Is 31:1

Dependence on false gods and religions

Psalm 40:4 NASB95

How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

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 NASB95

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill 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.