Dependence That Feeds Me - Daily Treasure - January 17

A Pilgrimage Fueled by Hope: Dependence That Feeds Me
By Sharon W. Betters

 TODAY’S TREASURE

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”  - John 4:34, ESV

Jesus models for us how to depend on God the way a child depends on his or her father. We see Him rising early to pray before choosing His disciples. After a full day of pouring out in ministry, He slips off by Himself to a desolate place and prays all night, energized by time with His Father to lead His disciples to a new place of ministry. He refuses to speak any words His Father has not told Him to speak. He repeatedly reminds listeners of His mission statement: He does the will of His Father. Jesus, equal to God, submits to His Father, even when His Father’s instructions may seem outrageous (the choice of Judas as a disciple, leaving a successful ministry where people are clamoring for His attention, etc.). 

Everyday life gives us opportunities to use those spiritual muscles of dependence, so when life crashes down, our default mode is to run to Him and cry out, “I don’t know what to do, so my eyes are fixed on you.”

The words of Jesus flow out of His mouth because His Father told Him to say them. Jesus, equal to God, refused to speak unless God the Father directed His Words. Right after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, days before the crucifixion Jesus knew was coming, He reminds listeners that He did not come to earth to do His will but His Father’s. Jesus defers all power to His Father, who sent Him and who tells Him “what to say and what to speak.” Jesus’ words aligned with His mission: to do the will of His Father.

PRAYER

Oh, Lord, we want a magic potion to transform us into a sinless, totally likable person. Instead, You offer us the gift of Your presence and invite us to get to know you and discover the richness of Your love. May we enjoy Your presence every day, whether the sun is shining in our lives or when life crashes down around us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a nonprofit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children and fourteen grandchildren.

For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.