How Much Do I Need God?

Ephesians 6:18

            It is my belief that we shall not fully realize how much we needed God until we reach our eternal home.  Despite such plain words of the Lord as “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), we still tend to think that we somehow accomplish at least some things for God on our own.  Let’s not take this discussion too far the other way, however, and say that we have no part in what we do or say.  This is erroneous thinking, also.  We are submitters and cooperators, not initiators and forces of causation.  God calls, God equips, God empowers.  We are vessels of clay given life and spiritual strength by the Life-Giver to accomplish His work and will.

            Thus, amid the daily struggle against evil in all of its overt and covert forms there is a supreme necessity, an absolute must to call upon the Master Outfitter of spiritual armor to equip us thoroughly and even stand beside us in the battle.  It is little wonder that Paul writes “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit...”  To stop praying is to quit asking for the divine help which alone can help us conquer.  To stop praying is to stand “against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” with only human strength.  To stop praying is to stand alone against Satan and all of his evil forces.  To stop praying is to cut our life line and power cord with God!

            E. M. Bounds noted, “Your estimation of prayer is your estimation of God.”  Hmmm?  What a thought.  Prayer is my direct connection with the Almighty.  If I do not pray, then I become disconnected from my Creator and the God who empowers me.  If I am disconnected from God, then I am standing alone without His help.  Does it not follow, then, that if I do not pray then I am of the opinion that I can do this thing called life by myself?!  Now we might never say that in those words, but our failure to ask the Father for help would be a sure give away of what we really thought in our hearts.

            What, then, is your estimation of God?  How much do you need the Lord Jesus?  Do you “pray at all times in the Spirit”?  Are you staying connected with your heavenly Father?

                                                            ><>  Jeff