What Does It Mean To Rely On God?

What does it mean to rely on God?

In 2 Chronicles 14, there is an example of the power of depending on God. Facing Zerah and the Ethiopian army, King Asa relied on God rather than his own strength.

King Asa’s reliance on God is clear in his prayer: “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude.” Because Asa and the people of Judah depended on God, the Lord defeated the Ethiopians, showing the result of faith and dependence.

However, a contrast appears a few chapters later in 2 Chronicles 16. Facing a new challenge, King Asa no longer relies on God as he once did; instead, he takes matters into his own hands. As a result, the King of Syria escapes, and God is displeased with King Asa’s decision not to trust Him.

Victory Rooted In Trust

God reminds King Asa of the earlier victory over the Ethiopians—a victory rooted in trust. He points out that King Asa had acted foolishly by relying on his own strength. There were consequences for this shift away from dependence on God.

Are We Like King Asa?

King Asa’s actions prompt us to reflect on our own lives: Are we like King Asa?

Self-Reliant Cycles

Many of us mirror King Asa: sometimes relying on God, other times acting alone. These self-reliant cycles leave us weary; making decisions without seeking God can bring more stress and anxiety.

The Essentials

To respond differently, building a genuine relationship with God through reading the Word, prayer, and worship becomes essential. Daily scripture reading develops trust in God’s character. Prayer provides a space to communicate openly with God about our struggles with self-reliance and encourages us to seek His help, even when obedience is difficult. Worship, in turn, nurtures a grateful heart and helps us focus on who God is.

Ultimately, the key message is that true dependence on God is essential. As Scripture reveals, God desires our trust, as shown in John 15:5: apart from Him, we can do nothing. My prayer is that we recognize our daily need for God’s help, surrender control, and trust Him fully.

Reflection

Identify a specific area of your life where surrendering control to God feels most challenging. Briefly describe why this is difficult for you. Today, choose one practical step—such as prayer, seeking counsel, or making a decision—that demonstrates trust as you hand this area over to Him.

Remember

When we trust the Lord fully and refuse to rely on our own understanding, we open ourselves to His guidance and strength in every aspect of our lives.

Thank you for reading. As we move forward, let us intentionally trust God’s guidance and invite Him into every decision we make. Let us walk in faith, knowing that as we rely on Him, we can face every challenge with hope and strength. Let us trust God boldly and expect His faithfulness in our lives.

Check out my last post God Of All Comfort Meditation.