"I've always dreamed of being an old philosopher. So far I've achieved one out of two!"

Depending on God in Your Life's Daily Journey 

Jeremiah 17:7-8
Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Isaiah 40:31
Philippians 4:11b-13

1. Two situations:

A. You have a super-saturated schedule. Your are late for one time commitment, if you miss the next one it will mean someone is going to be really upset with you, a phone call a few minutes ago made your third commitment much more important that you thought it was, and in front of you is an unexpected traffic jam for as far as you can see.

B. You are on vacation. You have cleared your calendar of everything for a full week and have nothing that "must" be done. Given a moment of refection you realize that you need to decide what would be the best way to use your vacation time.

2. Read Jeremiah 17:7-8. In what way can you trust in the Lord in each situation? Is the trust different in each situation? If different, in what way? If the same, what are the common characteristics?

3. Consider situation A and B in light of Psalm 37:3-8. In each situation:

Verses 3-4 - What security (safe pasture) and desire do you have?

Verses 5-6 - What must you do to commit your way to the Lord?

Verses 7-8 - How does patience apply? In what way might evil be an issue?

4. Read Isaiah 40:31. How much hoping or waiting is needed? What would happen if you forgo hoping or waiting?

5. Read Philippians 4:11b-13. What is Paul telling us that can help us in either situation? In what ways do these verses help us depend on God?

Reflection:

  • When do you depend on God the most?
  • When do you depend on God the least?
  • How do you let God know that you depend on him?
  • In what ways can God depend on you?
  • How might you seek a greater dependence on God in your daily life?

Passage

NIV

RSV

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

Psalm 37:

3-4,

5-6,

7-8

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security. 4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your vindication as the light, and your right as the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Isaiah 40:31

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:11b-13

11 . . . I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

11 . . . I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. 13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.