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daily dependence

“…my natural setting is not to trust God but to trust in what I can accumulate, what I can create and collect. But to experience the salvation of God is to experience and rest in his daily provision of all our needs. God has always been in the business of giving his people just enough to keep us dependent on him. This is why we are to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). He wants us to come back and ask him again tomorrow, because he wants the relationship with us that is fostered through daily dependence.”

-Nancy Guthrie, The Lamb of God

As I studied this portion of Exodus (Exodus 13-17) one of the Bible study questions asked us to identify God’s part and Israel’s part in the crossing of the Red Sea, the provision of manna, and provision of water. I saw that as we look at Israel’s part it helps us understand our part in experiencing salvation and provision in Christ. So, what was Israel’s part?

stand firm + be still + fear not + go forward + gather and eat + drink

I know I have shared this before but I used to think I was a pretty flexible, easy going person. But since losing Cora change is just, well…hard. Every time change enters my life, whether planned or unexpected, joyful or sorrowful, I start fighting back familiar emotions. Something about change reminds me of loss. It reminds me that we are moving forward, once again, without our baby girl. So as we plow through this month of July, anxiously awaiting the addition of this precious new life to our family, I find myself getting overwhelmed. I start over-worrying, over-planning, and trying to control the changes and emotions that I feel are about to come. I forget my part…just like the Israelites often did. I try to do, do, do and go, go, go. I start to complain and I doubt God’s provision. I wonder if this change is going to align with what seems good to me or if I am going to be surprised again by what God is about to do. I forget to simply stand firm, be still, fear not, go forward, as I gather, eat and drink from the Truth of God’s Word. I’ve been reminded again how I need to come to God in daily dependence. Not worrying about tomorrow but trusting Him for today. And delighting in the fact that He wants this kind of relationship with me. He desires this dependent relationship with me. And I can rest in knowing that He will provide all I need for today…until I come back to Him again tomorrow.

Sunday we sang Be Thou My Vision in church. I can clearly remember struggling through these words before and as they came up on the screen I found myself fighting back the tears again…

Heart of my own heart whatever befall

Still be my vision O Ruler of all.

I am praying these words for myself and my family as we are about ready to step into another season of change, even though it is an incredibly joyful change. I pray that my vision for my family would align with God’s vision. And that I would remember, because I so often forget, that I need to daily depend on Him because He alone satisfies. He alone gives life. I love this version of Be Thou My Vision

My Jesus, you satisfy.

Jesus said to them, ” I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

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  • Deb - Beautiful Jess. Thanks so much for sharing. I agree, change is so very hard.ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - Thank you for this Jess!
    Praying for youReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth - Oh man……this is exactly what I needed to read today. I was called yesterday for a job interview this coming Tuesday. The amount of money I would earn would be a true blessing for my family. I started to doubt myself and wonder if I should leave the comfort of my current job and switch to the new job if I am offered it. After speaking with my mom, she told me that if all the doors open easily then God wants me to have this job. If I have to push through barriers then it is better to stay where I am. Thank you for posting such a perfect message today. I will be praying for a safe and happy delivery of baby #4!!!ReplyCancel

  • Mary Ann - Thanks for the reminder that God is always there for us…we simply have to ask. It’s good to be reminded that all we have was his to begin with. Change is hard for sure…I can’t imagine as a mother how hard it is for you to mark the days and try to imagine what your darling Cora would have been doing at this certain age or what she would have learned or been gifted with. But God knows your heart and he will always be there to support and sustain you every step of the way. Yes, your new baby will be a joyful change and we are all very excited for your family.ReplyCancel

  • Celine - Thank you so much for this reminder. Four months ago (just 9 weeks after our 3rd child was born) I found out that my husband had been living a double life, and had a girlfriend. Upon me finding out and confronting him, he decided to leave me and his children, and continue his relationship with the other woman. My entire world came crumbling down. Every day is a struggle, and this is a good reminder that God will provide for all my needs and I am not going through this alone.
    Best wishes to you in the upcoming weeks as you prepare to meet your baby.ReplyCancel

  • Jane - This was so beautiful. You know what I find most profound and wonderful about your blog posts? Your words are so simple, so clear, so diluted from a grandiose sense of proclaiming faith….and yet so weighted with truth, love and honesty. When you read words from the bible they can seem small (like truth, love, joy, forgiveness, faithfulness, sorrow), it is really easy really lose the true weight of a tiny word like “joy” until you hear (or read) it from a fellow believer and just ‘know’ they understand what the words in those bible passages mean. I love reading your blog because I can truly feel the weight of the words you post here and it serves as a guiding light in my faith; keeping me going forward; you are a true gift. I also have been studying BSF for the last 5 years and I love reading your posts as they correspond with the lessons. Purely wonderful.

    As a sidebar, I have never experienced the pain you have in loosing your sweet Cora. Your continued remembrance and inclusion with your boys is a true tribute to the loving mother you are to your entire family. I lost my dad 4 years ago, and I can only understand to some, very small, degree what you are saying about change. Change is wonderful, but a very real reminder that life is going on without that loved one that is missing. Even is the life going on is amazing and blessed, my heart still hurts and aches for the what could have been. I can only imaging how you are feeling these last few weeks. I can only say that I admire your candor and real faith and sharing it with everyone that visits your blog.

    Prayers for a wonderful delivery for your sweet, new baby!! Your boys are just so cute-even if it doesn’t feel it everyday-they just exude happiness!!!

    JaneReplyCancel

  • Paige - Praying for you as you welcome this sweet new life, with all the changes. I’m praying for your heart, Jess.ReplyCancel

  • Robin - I’m praying for you tonight, Celine, and am so sorry to hear of this pain you are experiencing. He will carry you and your kids… Keep trusting Him, dear sister.ReplyCancel

  • EricaG - I see that Baby Mac arrived!!! Congratulations. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Cathleen Schmainda - We are on Day #7 at Mpls Childrens Hospital – trying to raise some funds for the Child Life Dept here – they are amazing and incredible and everything in between those two!! We will be hre for another week or so – hoping to make $1000 so that we can leave a great donation by the end of the week. PLEASE share with anyone you can if you would Jess! THANK YOU!!ReplyCancel