Devotionals

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If you’ve ever received unemployment or welfare, you understand the humiliation that goes along with admitting that you can’t provide for yourself. Can you imagine going each month to pick up your welfare check or standing in the grocery isle and redeeming food stamps? You hate what’s driven you to this point and even begin to despise being associated with the very hand that feeds you. Sometimes the shame is so intense you begin to hate yourself and everyone around you. You can see we’re not programed by to depend on anyone. But does our independence get in the way of our dependence on God?

Jesus reminds Peter in Luke 22 His instructions to the disciples to be sent out to spread the gospel without a money bag, knapsack, or even a pair of sandals, being completely dependent on God to provide for them. Jesus asked them, when they were doing God’s will, if they ever lacked anything by trusting Him to provide, and they said no. Now this particular verse follows a very familiar passage when Jesus says that Peter will deny knowing Him three times before the cock crows. Are you expecting favor from the Lord when you’re not even willing to admit you know Him? Do your prayers, especially in dyer times of need, expect God to deliver you from your situation?

How often do you take time to listen to the still small voice that shows you wisdom to triumph over your trials? Learning to be dependent upon God instead of using your wisdom will break that pride in self and the shame of association with the Savior that blinds you to who God really is. To proclaim Jesus as Lord of your life in private and public makes way for God to bless you because He takes care of His own. If for just one moment you’d be will to give up the notion you can do it yourself, He just might show you how. That’s the best kind of welfare, isn’t it?

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