Letting Go of Self-Reliance
- Jan 23, 2024
- 2 min read
Not that this is easy. Because self-reliance works to a certain extent. We can achieve some security through self-reliance. We can gain some wisdom for navigating this difficult world through self-reliance. We often find a sense of identity and significance through self-reliance. It might feel like we're giving up security, wisdom and significance by letting go of self-reliance, but actually the opposite is true. By relying fully on God, we find greater wisdom and security, and we discover how loved and valued we are by God.
By the time we reach Genesis 32, Jacob had learned to navigate his world by relying fully on himself. He wanted all of God's blessings, but he didn't want to give up self-reliance. Then he wrestled with God, and something in him changed. His name was changed to "Israel", and he began to walk with a limp to remind him that he was a changed man. For the first time in his life, he worshiped God in the way God wants to be worshiped, rather than using the world's ways of worship.
Does this mean Jacob immediately has full confidence in God and will boldly trust God in every area of his life? Clearly not. In Genesis 34, Jacob shrinks back instead of dealing with problems head-on. God had made him the leader of his family, but instead of embracing the role God had given him by administering justice on behalf of his daughter, he procrastinated and avoided confrontation. As a result, his sons took matters into their own hands, and problems escalated.
Learning to rely on God is a step-by-step process. It starts with an authentic relationship with Jesus, recognizing our sinfulness and receiving His free gift of salvation (John 3:16-21; John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21). We need to intentionally trust Him as Lord over every area of our lives (Romans 12:1-2). We need to be in fellowship with other believers, praying for one another and encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). We need to be in God's word and in prayer, confessing sin and embracing His forgiveness and His unconditional love for us (1 John 1; Ephesians 3:14-21).
Comments