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From Self-Reliance to God-Reliance

Today I read: 2 Chronicles 13, Psalm 119:97-120, Haggai 1, and Revelation 3.

Gospel summary: We all rely on our own strength and wisdom to handle the circumstances of life, but God blesses those who rely solely upon him and desire his glory above their own. In Christ, God has weaned us off of our selfish bent to rely steadfastly upon him.

Prayer: Father in heaven, I am so prone to rely on my own wisdom to guide me through life and I have found time and again how that self-reliance has left me a rebel against you. Thank you that by the gospel call and the Spirit's awakening I have been converted and now know that you are all I need. Teach me the joy of relying upon you and the folly of resisting you, knowing that resistance to you is resistance to my eternal well-being. When my old sinful nature rises up and calls me to trust my desires instead of your Spirit, give me the power to believe your gospel truth and live by that faith, totally relying on you in all my ways. I pray this all in the faithful name of Christ, amen.

Key verses: "Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed...The men of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into their hand. Abijah and his people struck them with great force, so there fell slain of Israel 500,000 chosen men. Thus the men of Israel were subdued at that time, and the men of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers."(‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭13‬:‭12, 16-18‬ ESV)

Hymn: "Lead Me, Savior" by Frank M. Davis

Stanzas:
Saviour, lead me, lest I stray,
Gently lead me all the way;
I am safe when by Thy side,
I would in Thy love abide.

Refrain:
Lead me, lead me, Saviour, lead me, lest I stray;
Gently down the stream of time,
Lead me, Saviour, all the way.

Thou, the refuge of my soul,
When life's stormy billows roll;
I am safe when Thou art nigh,
All my hopes on Thee rely.

Saviour, lead me then at last,
When the storm of life is past,
To the land of endless day,
Where all tears are wiped away.

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