Rely on God (And Not Yourself)

(Inspired by a devotional from Cornerstone Baptist Church, Arlington, TX)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)

Father,

Before we read another word, quiet our hearts. Strip away distraction. Remove pride. Expose anything in us that competes with You. Teach us again what it means to depend on You daily — not casually, not occasionally, but completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This morning, we were struck by a devotional from Cornerstone Church. It told of a young Haitian believer who visited America and, after experiencing our comforts, said:

“You have so much that I’m beginning to lose my grip on my day-to-day dependency on Christ.”

That sentence would not leave us.

Years ago, I (Ron) spent nearly three months in Malindi, Kenya, with Pastor Arthur of Fellowship Baptist Church. Every morning, we sat on his porch at sunrise — toast, coffee, conversation. No abundance. No excess. Just gratitude and faith. I traveled the villages with him and witnessed a simplicity of life that required daily trust in God.

Years later, he was visited to the United States for the first time. Arkansas. Dallas. Arizona. We hosted him in our home. One morning we served him a full American breakfast — eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit — a spread far beyond toast and coffee.

I asked him, "When you go home, what will you tell your family about this experience?”

He looked at the table. Then at me.

“You have a whole lot here in America. And experiencing it all this me want to get closer to Christ… because you have so much, and it can get in the way of your relationship with Him.”

Not judgment. Just spiritual clarity.

Paul said that in Asia he was “crushed and overwhelmed” (2 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). But hardship produced something powerful: “We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God.” (v. 9)

Here is the uncomfortable truth:

Abundance can weaken dependence. Comfort can cloud hunger. Provision can quietly replace prayer.

God blesses. He provides. He gives generously. But He never intends for the gift to replace the Giver.

The issue is not what sits on our table. The issue is what sits on the throne of our hearts.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5)

May we never become so comfortable that we lose our grip on Christ.

Reflection questions to ponder:

1. Has comfort reduced my sense of daily dependence on God?

2. Do I pray differently in crisis than I do in abundance?

3. What in my life might be “getting in the way” of intimacy with Christ?

4. If a believer from another country observed my lifestyle, what would they conclude about my reliance on God?

5. What practical step can I take this week to cultivate deeper dependence?

Lord,

Forgive us for the times we have trusted what You provided more than we trusted You. Forgive us for mistaking comfort for security and abundance for blessing without recognizing You as the source.

Teach us to rely on You when we have little — and when we have much. Guard our hearts from spiritual dullness. Restore our hunger. Strengthen our grip on Christ.

May our resources never replace reverence. May our comfort never weaken conviction. May our blessings deepen our dependence.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Recommended songs to accompany your worship:

Traditional / Gospel:

• “I Need Thee Every Hour”

• “Lord, I Need You” (Matt Maher version widely sung in churches)

• “Total Praise” – Richard Smallwood

• “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

Choir / Contemporary Gospel:

• “Depend on You” – Jonathan McReynolds

• “He Wants It All” – Forever Jones

• “Give Me You” – Shana Wilson-Williams