Living with Tozer's God

Blogpost #17

Chapter 6: The Self-Sufficiency of God...and its Link to Prayer

When we talk about self-sufficiency, what we're really talking about is life...what it is, where it is and how to sustain it. Life has to have a source. The essential question is simple: Do you or I have life in ourselves or do we depend on someone/something else to sustain us? The answer is obvious (we are totally dependent) and this is one of the fundamental differences between us and God. But, let's be honest. Does the fact that God is self-sufficient really matter to us? In practical terms, does it make any difference to us? If you give me just a few minutes, I think we can show you at least one reason it does matter.

Here's a fact of life: We need God. God does not need us.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that over the last 30 years, America has developed a culture that is fixated on trying to disprove this fundamental truth. The buzzwords that support this are everywhere: Botox, life extension aids, self-improvement programs, anti-aging lotions and potions, "look 10 years younger" and "turn back the clock". The only problem is you can't turn back the clock and you really are 10 years older. Some age more gracefully than others, but that doesn't change the facts. We have no control over our life.

Here's another fact of life: "All flesh is grass."

As much as we live in denial of it, it's true; we're all going to die. We have as much ability to sustain our own life as a blade of grass; we're hopelessly dependent. We ignore it and try to live as if it were not true...at least until we're forced to attend the next funeral of a friend or loved one...then we're forced once again to face the reality of how helpless we are to overcome the real enemies. Even the smallest.

Every year millions of us get hit with a cold or flu. Surprisingly, we can't seem to find a real cure for either one. Some might argue that we have antibiotics; they kill the bacterial "bugs". At best that's a band-aid solution. The "bugs" have learned how to adapt so that our antibiotics are no longer effective. The CDC just recently announced that the latest hospital "superbug" [called "CRE"] is resistant to every known antibiotic. In other words, it's incurable. At least 50% of the people who get it are dying. The truth is, IF God had not created us with an immune system, we would likely all be dead. Many experts are just waiting for such a "plague" to hit. At every turn, we are constantly faced with the reality that we are totally dependent beings. Our lives are filled with enemies. But, stop for a minute and try to define "life". It may not be as simple as you would think. What is "life"?

What is "life"?

At the most fundamental level, life is the ability to exist. Okay, so what do you need to exist? Your list would probably include: air to breathe, water to drink, sunlight for warmth, food for strength and nourishment. These are basic needs. Okay, which of them can you provide for yourself? The answer, in case you're not sure, is none! You can't provide any of it.

You might argue "I can grow my own food". Really? Think about it. Where did you get the seed? Who provides the water? You don't. Who provides the sunlight? You don't. The fact is unless God provides all these things, we all die. We have no ability to exist on our own. 

Even though the air is here and abundant, if God doesn't sustain the beating of our hearts, it won't do us any good. You may be fortunate enough to be able to improve the quality of your life with a few extra "creature comforts,"  but you can't sustain or extend your life...even one extra day.

Here's the point: We are totally dependent beings...and God purposely made us that way. He designed us with needs that keep us dependent. Why? So, we would always be conscious of our need of Him. The Bible doesn't keep us in the dark on this. Paul said it plainly in Acts 17; it was one of those obvious fundamental facts of life which Paul declared to the philosophers on Mars Hill: "in Him (the Creator) we live and move and exist (or have our being)..." ...Paul goes on to say, "...He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;" Acts 17:24-25 NASU

And thus...Prayer

It seems like we miss the spiritual connection here. If God is totally self-sufficient and the source of all life and He created us to be totally in-sufficient to meet even our basic needs, how does He expect us to survive spiritually? How do I sustain my spiritual life? Our spiritual needs are constantly recurring just as our physical needs are. Earthly satisfaction is always temporary. How are we meant to exist? Is God just being mean and miserly, trying to keep us on a short leash by not giving us more independence? Are we meant to just survive spiritually or is there a way to thrive and prosper in this "new" life?

No one knows like the farmer how dependent we are on God  to provide the earthly  resources needed

(like rain and sun...and in the right amounts and at the right times!) to grow and harvest a crop. The seed we plant has the life in it, but it has to be planted in good soil and enabled to break down so that it can receive the soil nutrients necessary to grow and yield a good crop. All these processes are dependent on God's provision. Are the spiritual resources any less needed?

We often seem to forget the fact that we need the spiritual resources as much as physical ones. We need spiritual "water" and "the food that endures"; we need things that are eternally dependable, that never wear out. But, while God gives us the resources we need, they have to be "worked" to yield fruit. We seem not to realize that the tools and resources we need come simply and solely through "the word of God and prayer". Our "new life" in Christ means that His Spirit dwells in us, but this does not change our dependence on Him. He is simply the means by which all God's resources come to "life" in us.

But, is there an ultimate purpose to all of this? Why give us these "resources"? What is God doing? What does He want? We are often so fixated on our "salvation" and escaping damnation (which is understandable!) that we fail to realize the divine purpose in all this. Why did God save us? He saved us for Himself! The Scriptures say that "God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba ! Father!" [Gal 4:6 NASU] The goal of the Spirit indwelling us (with all the resources of God Himself) is to bring us into a living "Father-Son" relationship with God.

Next time we'll go into that relationship a little more. But, for now, let the magnitude of what the all-sufficient God has chosen to do for us capture your mind and heart. He needed nothing. He has everything. We needed everything, so He gave us Himself. This is how He turns our hopeless dependence into the greatest imaginable blessing!  The apostle John says it best:

                      "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called
                        children of God; and such we are."                                        I John 3:1