It is so, so easy to think we can do it all on our own.
Countless times over the years, I’ve seen truly well-meaning people—including Christians!—press and encourage people to be their own saviors. Telling them gently but firmly that only they could get themselves out of a tough situation, a mental slump, a difficult spot in life. This often has dovetailed with the belief that independence is paramount; you want to achieve the status of a strong, independent individual who “don’t need no one to help me out!” Needing others is frowned upon; I remember getting so much lash-back from a friend once for daring to suggest I not only wanted my soon-to-be-husband in my life, I actually needed his support and encouragement!
Over time, it’s become increasingly clear that a well-meaning movement toward encouraging self-sufficiency has turned to self-reliance…and the enemy is working to dominate the playing field. Humanity is being pushed more and more to focus on what we can do by our own might, becoming our own saviors, our own rescue, our own source of provision. Prayer takes a backseat to the work of human hands; we invite God less and less into our troubles because we should be enough on our own!
And yet, psalms like Psalm 124 stand as such a stark reminder of our true shortcomings. These words make it so inescapably clear: if Yahweh were not on the side of His people who enemy opposition rose against, they would’ve been utterly consumed. We’re talking totally wiped out. And this was not because they had some weak, piddly little force; their armies were often times very large and extremely well-led! But the psalmist notes that none of that mattered without Yahweh on their side.
It was Yahweh who delivered their souls from the snare, who rescued them from the teeth of their predators. And this is something we must ALWAYS remember! Its God’s might we need to revere as our saving grace in times of need. Human strength will only go so far, no matter how tough and independent we are; and when we come to the end of all that we are, Who will we find there?
We need to be mindful always that our personal might has limits; but God’s does not. He will provide for us, deliver us, sustain us. And that’s something we can never forget. Our work in this life should not be to achieve ultimate independence…but to achieve total dependence on Him!
