By Orlando Cabrera
In my previous post, I referenced how counting helps fuel our gratitude and helps maintain our humility before the Lord. Today I wanted to continue my rambling and offer this encouragement in regards to the importance of counting and its connection to our intimacy with God. So here is my second exhortation…
#2. Count on God.
I know what you might be tempted to be thinking at this point…”Really? That’s it?” That thought is understandable, but let me unpack it a little. By definition, the word ‘count’ can mean “to rely or depend on someone or something.” The truth of the matter is that as much as this world and culture celebrate independence, we are dependent people. There are NO self-made men or women. There are just a bunch of people running around pretending as though they don’t need anyone all the while masking their self-dependence. And like wet paint in a rain storm, it just doesn’t stick.
“The beautiful thing about this journey and adventure called faith is that we can count on God to never lead us astray.”
We as believers in Christ have not been called to a life of independency, or co-dependency but to a life of dependency upon the Lord. That is why Jesus in John 15 stated that we are to “abide in Him, the true vine, because apart from Him we could do nothing.” Dependency upon the Lord is a sign of spiritual maturity, vitality and growth. You see the more we grow in our faith, the more dependent upon God we become. Because we are becoming more convinced of our ongoing need for Him, and that neediness fuels our ongoing pursuit and intimacy with Him.
So take what I just said and compare it to these words from King David in Psalm 63:1
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
David is one dependent dude and it’s awesome. He understands his great need and his need fuels his intimacy. Dependence upon the Lord and counting on him is essential to our spiritual growth!
The Bible is absolutely littered with verses that instruct us to “call” upon the Lord, or in other words “count” on Him; because He is near and He is faithful. The psalmist, Asaph, wrote in Psalm 50:15 regarding God’s heart for His children, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." King David wrote in Psalm 145:18 these words of truth and solace, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
We also see countless testimonies of God’s children throughout Scripture who declared that their calling, their counting on, or depending upon the Father was not in vain…”In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” Psalm 18:6
So how is your counting today? Are you counting on the Lord? Let me encourage you to continue to count on, rely upon and call out to our great God, your Father in Heaven. He is mighty, loving and faithful and He can and will sustain you.
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 50:22