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Reasons Why it Works

to Depend on God!

First let me remind you of something covered on another web page.

Trusting God as your God—rather than "other gods" means that you have to depend on the Lord as your refuge, glory, and strength. Even though we haven’t yet fully discussed the details of what it means to "drink," I want you to understand that drawing near to God is vital for being able to make God your God. When talking about "emotional needs" or "self-esteem," we usually use terms such as "confidence" and "security." The same is true when the Bible talks about being near to the Lord. First let’s talk about security.

Sometimes the Bible speaks of security directly. King Hezekiah said it this way, "O Lord, I am oppressed, be my security" (Isa. 38:14). But most of the time, when speaking of God being our security, the Bible uses the word "refuge." King David said it this way, "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge" (Ps. 73:28). That David trusted the "nearness of God" means He was practicing the presence of God. Here again, it is important to note that in order to "practice the presence of God," to the full extent of what is available, you have to enter the throne room of God and draw near to the Lord. 

Making God your place of refuge, requires that you draw close enough to be able to drink from the abundance of His house. David wrote,

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights (Ps. 36:7, 8).

The people in the verse above who "drink their fill" are those who learn to enter God’s heavenly "house" and take refuge inside the presence of God. 

The apostle Paul wrote that we should put on the armor of light (Rom. 13:12). You put on the armor of light by entering the throne room of God because when you draw near to God He draws near to you. 

That you have access to entering the throne room of God is central to the process of how we make the presence of God our God. True repentance is not possible any other way. We have to draw near to God so that we can "drink." Otherwise, we will always be bound to dependence on our earthly ways. Let yourself believe. The same is true for depending on the nearness of God in order to experience the confidence we need.

It is vital that you enjoy the benefit of being close to the Lord. God made you needy on purpose. He wants you to depend on Him. Trust you are before the Lord in all His glory. Think about being inside His kindness, His power, His love. Let yourself enjoy a sense of security from being inside all His attributes as He radiates the Holy Spirit upon you. Enjoy finding refuge in all of what God is like. By this you will never stop falling more and more deeply in love with Him all the time. 

We all have come to depend on something as our security and confidence. Sometimes the scriptures use the word confidence directly: "O Lord God, You are my confidence" (Ps. 71:5). But most of the time the Bible says, "glory" or "strength."

When we trust something as our strength, it is only natural that we put our trust in something that is with us. The same is true concerning God. Here again David is our best example: "But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head" (Ps. 3:3). David also wrote, "I love You, O Lord, my strength" (Ps. 18:1). If He is to be your confidence and strength, He has to be with you—the more intensely the better.

Making this real means that you can’t ignore the importance of your access to God. Just as it does with depending on God for security, the Bible shows that we have to enter the sanctuary of God: "O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!" (Ps. 68:35). David also wrote, "For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings" (Ps. 61:3,4). On a practical level, God can’t be our confidence and strength unless we draw near to God by "entering" the throne room. Making God your God and experiencing Him as your confidence and security requires that you trust that you have access to God—and that you actually take advantage of God’s provision and draw near. Your access into the throne room is essential to the process of actually making God your confidence.

Here again, you need to let all of who God is be your confidence. Use praise toward God to thrill your heart about each of His attributes. It is right that you feel confidence because of His closeness to you. Fortress yourself inside God. Look at Him. Look at the character and attributes of God being shined upon you.

When we depend on ourselves the result is often some level of reassurance and confidence. But when God is close, when He is our strength how does it feel? There are some similarities and some differences. The difference is in the direction and focus of our praise. With God the praise goes toward Him, toward His presence with us, around us. That much is different.

Nothing quenches your thirst like the glorious presence of God; not the greatest earthly pleasures or thrills, not knowing the answers to life’s most difficult questions, not any lofty goals you may have accomplished, not your popularity, not more toys, not the acceptance of others, not the warmest approval from the most important people you know, not even being one of the most physically attractive people on earth. Drinking the Spirit of God is better, more exciting, more filling.

The similarities to drinking from earthly things are in the results of confidence, security, reassurance, significance, thrill, and pleasure. How does it feel? It feels better. With God, the results of confidence and reassurance are the same, only much sweeter, more right, stronger, more real, and consistent. Once you have entered the throne room, drawn near to God, and experience His presence drawing close and loving you. Then you won’t want anything less.

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I am praying for the Lord's abundant blessing on your efforts to direct your heart toward Him.

Barry.

     Come and Drink — Continued...

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(C) Barry Hall 1999

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