As a kid, did you ever hear your parents say, “Honey, we just want the best for you?” Ever caught yourself repeating those same words to your own kids, only to have your kids shrug them off? We reap what we sow. Fun, isn’t it?!? 

The self-sufficiency of children is extraordinary. It’s as is if our words are like rubber bullets off a brick wall. “IF” you’ll do this (_____) “THEN” you’ll reap the benefits. As many of you have discovered, sometimes it isn’t until years later, when your kids have kids, that they admit, “You know, dad/mom, you were right.” How nice is it when your kids sooner than later humble themselves, take the advice, and reap the benefits?

Sowing and reaping are evident everywhere we look. We live in a day where nightly shootings are the norm; where drug addiction and fatherless homes is epidemic; poverty is rampant; racial animosity still exists; political strife and media distrust has exploded. Vance Havner, a vexatious, Baptist preacher once said, “The tragedy of the day is that the situation is desperate, and the saints are not.”

“Dependence” is my middle name, and it’s yours too! We were designed to be dependent upon “Elohim” our creator. Self-sufficiency is powerfully seductive and very dangerous, yet it oozes from my life in many ways. For instance, every time I’m too proud to ask for help, I buy into my self-sufficiency. Every time I reject someone who may confront me with a wrong or sin, I buy into my own sufficiency. Every time I act as if I know more than I do, I’m buying in to the lie of self-sufficiency. 

And it is a lie! Think about it: If there is a Creator and I’m His creation, the work of His hands, then there is no such thing as autonomy. As someone has said, “The doctrine of creation exposes the lie of self-sufficiency. You can plant the healthiest seeds available, but if God doesn’t send the rain, your plants are gonna die. We’re dependent on God for our very life and breath.”

It’s past time for us to cry out to God with a sense of desperation, “Lord we need you. We have problems we cannot solve alone. We beg you to intervene and bring harmony. Heal our nation, our state, our cities, O Lord, and begin with me.”

The Bible promises, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

When God says to the Israelites, “If my people who are called by name,” He is specifically pointing them back to the covenant that He made with their forefather Abraham.

That’s what “My people” means. God reminded a people who had been exiled, enslaved, and defeated that a rebuilt temple or a displaced nation cannot change their identity. They were God’s people, and He was calling them back to Him.

I heard a preacher say, “You’re only 20 inches from mercy” He pulled out a tape measure, set it to 20 inches, and placed it beside his leg. “This is about the distance between my knee-cap and the floor.” 

It’s the distance from me saying, “Thanks for the advice, dad, but I’ve got this, I’ve figured it out. I can handle it. I’ll be ok. Thanks, but no thanks, I can make it on my own.” TO “Oh my goodness, the God of the universe is offering me a better way to do life, and it begins and ends with Him.”

QUOTE:

Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of our greatest presidents. Yet he wasn’t too proud to admit, “I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.” 

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FINAL WORD:

From Charles Swindoll

This actually happened years ago.

It was in 1968 on an airplane headed for New York—a routine and normally very boring flight. But this time it proved to be otherwise.

As they were on their descent pattern, the pilot realized that the landing gear was not engaging. He messed around with the controls, trying again and again to get the gear to lock into place… without success. He then asked ground control for instruction. As the plane circled the landing field, the emergency crew coated the runway with foam and fire trucks and other emergency vehicles moved into position.

Meanwhile, the passengers were told of each maneuver in that calm, unemotional voice pilots do so well. Flight attendants glided about the cabin with an air of cool reserve. Passengers were told to place their heads between their knees and grab their ankles just before impact. There were tears and a few cries of despair. It was one of those “I can’t believe this is happening to me “experiences.

Then, with the landing only minutes away, the pilot suddenly announced over the intercom: “We are beginning our final descent. At this moment, in accordance with International Aviation Codes established at Geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God you should commence prayer.” Scout’s honor… that’s exactly what he said!

I’m happy to report that the belly landing occurred without a hitch. No one was injured and, aside from some rather extensive damage to the plane, the airline hardly remembered the incident. In fact, a relative of one of the passengers called the airline the very next day and asked about that prayer rule the pilot had quoted. The answer was a cool, reserved “No comment.”

Amazing. The only thing that brought out into the open a deep-down “secret rule” was crisis. Pushed to the brink, back to the wall, right up to the wire, all escape routes closed… only then does our society crack open a hint of recognition that God may be there and—“if you believe… you should commence prayer.”

REFLECT:

Put your body (kneel/bow) in a humble position and re-read 2 Chronicles 7:14 slowly. Take some time to ask God to reveal any unconfessed sin(s) in your own life… things that you have INTENTIONALLY or UNINTENTIONALLY thought, spoken or done that were in direct contradiction to the character of God and the purposes of His kingdom and record them in your journal.

Now, ask the Spirit of God to reveal what you have not done—but should have done, because of your pride, fear of man’s opinions, or lack of boldness and record those as well.