Cultivating Dependence on God's Guidance in Daily Life
Cultivating Dependence on God's Guidance in Daily Life
The biblical foundation for cultivating dependence on God's guidance is rooted in the Deuteronomic exhortation to "have love for the Lord your God, to go in his ways and keep his laws and his orders and his decisions" [1]. This call to obedience is echoed throughout scripture, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's providence and guidance.
One key aspect of cultivating dependence on God is through prayer. The Psalmist expresses this sentiment, praying, "Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you" [2]. This prayer highlights the recognition that our actions and decisions are dependent on God's guidance and loving kindness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook emphasizes the importance of diligence in seeking God and obeying His commandments [3]. This diligence is not merely a human effort but is rooted in the recognition that our spiritual actions depend on God's grace [7]. As Matthew Henry notes on Proverbs 20:24, "The goings even of a strong man are of the Lord, for his strength is weakness without God" [7]. This understanding underscores the necessity of dependence on God in all aspects of life.
The practice of self-denial is also seen as a means of cultivating dependence on God. By denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, believers demonstrate their devotion to Christ and reliance on His strength [5]. As Adam Clarke comments on 2 Peter 3:18, believers are to "grow in grace... every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself" [8]. This growth in grace is a hallmark of a life dependent on God.
Furthermore, obedience to God's commandments is a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to Him [9]. As Tyndale House notes on 1 John 2:3, "As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity" [9]. This obedience is not a means of earning God's favor but rather a response to the love and grace already received.
In times of affliction, believers are encouraged to pray for God's guidance and comfort. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various prayers under affliction, including prayers for divine teaching and direction [6]. David's prayer in Psalms 25:1 exemplifies this, as he professes his desire towards God and dependence on Him, saying, "Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul" [10].
The call to live a life of dependence on God is not limited to specific circumstances but is a general principle for Christian living. As Tyndale House comments on Luke 12:22, Jesus teaches His disciples to live in dependence on God, focusing on God's Kingdom rather than being obsessed with possessions [11]. This dependence is rooted in the understanding that God is the creator and sustainer of all things, and that our lives are to be lived in accordance with His will [4].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 30:16 (BBE) — In giving you orders today to have love for the Lord your God, to go in his ways and keep his laws and his orders and his decisions, so that you may have life and be increased, and that the blessing of the Lord your God may be with you in the land where you are going, the land of your heritage.”
- Psalms “Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. -- Psalms 143:8”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:24: We are here taught that in all our affairs, 1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God. All our natural actions depend upon his providence, all our spiritual actions upon his grace. The best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be. Our enterprises succeed, not as we desire and design, but as God directs and disposes. The goings even of a strong man (so the word signifies) are of the Lord, for his strength is weakness without God, nor is the battle always to the strong. 2. W”
- 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 25:1: Here we have David's professions of desire towards God and dependence on him. He often begins his psalms with such professions, not to move God, but to move himself, and to engage himself to answer those professions. I. He professes his desire towards God: Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul, Psa 25:1. In the foregoing psalm (Psa 25:4) it was made the character of a good man that he has not lifted up his soul to vanity; and a call was given to the everlasting gates to lift up their heads for the King of glory to come in, Psa 25:1. To this character, to this ca”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:22: 12:22-34 Jesus’ warning against greed (12:13-21) is followed by teaching about living in dependence on God. Jesus’ disciples were to focus on God’s Kingdom and his purpose in this world rather than being obsessed with possessions.”