We were not created to do it on our own

As a nation, Israel had everything going for it. It had the one true God on its side for a start. That counted for a lot. God rescued and delivered His people. God protected and provided for His people. God gave His people clear instructions for the best way for them to live in community and as a society. He gave them a support structure to stay in right relationship with Him.

And yet.

And yet their hearts were deceitful. They chose to co their own way. They thought they knew best. Their promises and agreements counted for nothing.

And so they will reap what they have sowed.

Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unploughed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.
But you have planted wickedness,
you have reaped evil,
you have eaten the fruit of deception.
Because you have depended on your own strength
and on your many warriors,
the roar of battle will rise against your people.  Hosea 10:12-14

You sow what you reap. It couldn’t be clearer. We looked into consequences of our actions a couple of days ago in Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. If you missed it, have a read.

I sometimes picture my life as a garden. Especially after reading the Shack in which Sarayu, representing the Holy Spirit, shows Mack how to tend the garden of his soul. I think about what I am sowing there, what I am giving my time and attention to, whether I am watering with love or hate, whether the garden is getting enough rays of joy…

Sow righteousness (be morally right and good, showing integrity in all things) and you will reap the fruit of unfailing love.

Sow wickedness and you will reap the fruit of evil.

And wickedness is not just the simple things we all know, the glaring things like murder, stealing, breaking the law. It can be as simple as deceit in your heart. Deceiving others and yourself. Living in denial. Saying you don’t need God. That you can get on fine without Him. That your way is best. Depending on your own strength to see you through. Your own strength and not God’s. not giving God any credit for His protection and provision and support.

It is good to be reminded that we cannot do it all on our own. No one can. We weren’t created that way. We were created in relationship with God and with others and with the universe. And yet there’s something within us that is so fiercely independent, isn’t there? We find it impossible to ask for help. To make ourselves vulnerable to others and to God. To show any sign of weakness. To need anyone else. To rely on anyone else. To accept any help from anyone else.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary

You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings
Like eagles

This is the truth. Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. None of us can do it on our own. Today maybe, even tomorrow, but not forever. One day, it will all become too much. We were not created to do it on our own.

And in the next blog, I’ll show you what this has looked like for me and is looking for me right now.