Celebrating Independence Day: A Call to Dependence on God

This week holds significant importance in the history of our country. July 4th is the day we celebrate our independence from Britain, marking a momentous occasion when our nation stood up for its freedom and right to self-determination.

While independence as a nation is a cause for celebration, it’s crucial to remember that we should never strive to be independent from God. He wants us to be totally dependent on Him. This might sound counterintuitive in a society that values self-reliance and independence, especially for us as men who often pride ourselves on handling everything on our own. However, this mindset can lead us astray.The Bible tells us that God desires our complete dependence and trust in Him for every aspect of our lives. Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous examples of men and kings who surrendered their ways to God. And guess what? God honored their lives.For instance, consider King David, who, despite his flaws, constantly sought God’s guidance and was known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). Similarly, King Hezekiah prayed earnestly to God during a crisis, and God delivered his kingdom from the Assyrians (2 Kings 19:15-19, 35-37). These stories remind us that when we humble ourselves and surrender everything to God, He honors our lives.This principle holds true for us today. If we humble ourselves and live in total dependence on Him, He will honor all that we do. However, this doesn't mean we should sit back passively and expect God to do everything for us. We are called to be active participants in our faith, living as examples for God, always striving to do the right thing and aligning every aspect of our lives with His plan.To live out this dependency on God, we must understand His word and follow His teachings. Here are some practical ways to deepen our dependence on God:

1. Be in Church More: Regular attendance at church services helps us stay connected to God and fellow believers.
2. Study God’s Word Consistently: Daily Bible study enriches our understanding of God’s will and strengthens our faith.
3. Spend Time with Like-minded Believers: Fellowship with others who share our beliefs encourages and supports us in our walk with God.
4. Participate in Bible Studies: Engaging in group Bible studies allows us to learn from others and gain different perspectives.
5. Pray More: Prayer is our direct line of communication with God, helping us to seek His guidance and express our dependence on Him.
6. Be Humble: Humility allows us to recognize our need for God and His sovereignty in our lives.
7. Do Everything in Love: Following Christ’s example, we should strive to act in love in all we do.

God is always with us, but He will only take over the wheel to drive if we depend on Him completely and give Him control.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let’s remember to celebrate our dependence on God and the freedom we have to worship Him. Have a Happy 4th of July!