Encouraging Dependence on God's Strength and Provision
Encouraging Dependence on God's Strength and Provision
The biblical concept of dependence on God's strength and provision is rooted in the understanding that human strength is insufficient without divine support. Isaiah 35:3 exhorts, "Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble" [1]. This encouragement is not merely a call to human resilience but a recognition of the need for divine intervention.
The Psalms frequently express this dependence, with Psalm 68:28 praying, "Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us" [2]. This petition acknowledges God's role in both commanding and providing strength. Similarly, Psalm 90:17 requests, "Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands" [3]. This plea underscores the reliance on God's favor for the success of human endeavors.
The New Testament continues this theme, with 1 Peter 5:2 instructing leaders to "feed the flock of God... not by constraint, but willingly" [4]. This willingness is a manifestation of dependence on God's provision and strength. The apostle Paul's reflection in 1 Corinthians 3:10 on his role as a "wise masterbuilder" laying a foundation highlights the importance of divine grace in his work [5].
Torrey's Topical Textbook emphasizes that access to God is a fundamental aspect of this dependence, citing various biblical references to illustrate that access is "of God," "by Christ," and "by the Holy Spirit" [6]. This access is not merely a theological concept but a practical reality that believers are encouraged to rely on.
The biblical narrative encourages believers to depend on God's strength, particularly in times of weakness or affliction. I John 5:4 affirms that "anything which comes from God is able to overcome the world: and the power by which we have overcome the world is our faith" [7]. This overcoming power is not inherent to human faith but is derived from God's strength.
Historically, Christian traditions have interpreted these biblical themes in various ways. For instance, Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 121:1 teaches believers to "stay themselves upon God as a God of power and a God all-sufficient for us" [9]. John Gill's commentary on Ephesians 3:15 highlights the petition for believers to be "strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" [10]. These interpretations underscore the importance of recognizing God's power and provision in the lives of believers.
The practice of dependence on God's strength is also linked to the concept of perseverance. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that perseverance is "maintained through the power of God, the power of Christ, and the intercession of Christ" [8]. This understanding is echoed in John Gill's commentary on Colossians 1:11, which emphasizes being "strengthened with all might" as a necessary aspect of the Christian life [11].
Sources
- Isaiah “Isaiah 35:3 (NASB) — Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.”
- Psalms “Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us. -- Psalms 68:28”
- Psalms “Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands. -- Psalms 90:17”
- I Peter “I Peter 5:2 (Geneva1599) — Feede the flocke of God, which dependeth vpon you, caring for it not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde:”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 3:10 — According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- I John “I John 5:4 (BBE) — Anything which comes from God is able to overcome the world: and the power by which we have overcome the world is our faith.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 121:1: This psalm teaches us, I. To stay ourselves upon God as a God of power and a God all-sufficient for us. David did so and found the benefit of it. 1. We must not rely upon creatures, upon men and means, instruments and second causes, nor make flesh our arm: "Shall I lift up my eyes to the hills?" - so some read it. "Does my help come thence? Shall I depend upon the powers of the earth, upon the strength of the hills, upon princes and great men, who, like hills, fill the earth, and hold up their heads towards heaven? No; in vain is salvation hoped for from hills an”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:15: That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory,.... Or according to, and out of that rich, plenteous, and glorious fulness of grace and strength in Christ Jesus. To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; this is the petition which the apostle puts up on his bended knees to the Father of Christ, that he would strengthen these saints, that so they might not faint at the tribulations which either he or they endured. Believers in Christ need fresh supplies of strength to enable them to exercise grace, to perform duties, to resist Sat”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:11: Strengthened with all might,.... This is still a continuation of the apostle's prayer for these believers; for having prayed for an increase of spiritual knowledge, and that this might be put into practice, he proceeds to pray for strength for them, that they might be enabled to practise what they had knowledge of; to walk worthily, to please God in all things, to bring forth fruit with patience, to persevere in knowledge, practice, fruitfulness, and in an increase thereof. It implies, that believers are weak in themselves, and insufficient to do or bear anything ”