A Prosperous Life Part II

How does dependence on God take place? What does it look like? How does one become God-dependent instead of in-dependent?

Reading further in the book of Psalms, I came across this familiar verse, "Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker" (Psalm 95:6). As noted in the previous blog, there are those that would serve all their lives, but never truly in the court of God. Tragically, there are those who spend time regularly reading God's Word and attending worship who are not prospering. What makes the difference?

The difference is found not in what is said or done as much as in what occurs in the privacy of one's heart in response to God's Word. A heart that excuses behavior, justifies it, or chooses only comfortable passages will not experience God's peace or blessing. But to worship and bow down, to kneel before God is to openly trust that what He says is true and right. It is the most basic confession, agreeing with God. When I am unable or unwilling to bow my heart in submission to His goodness, I fail to confess Him as Lord. My mouth can say what it will, but the rest of my life stands in opposition to the lovingkindness and grace of God.

Few of us have thought of confession as lifestyle. For years, decades perhaps, we have thought of 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." But rarely do we consider time in God's Word as confession--and it won't be until we can accept God at His Word, trusting that He is right and true.

How would God have me bow the knee today? In obedience. In prayer when self-denial fails me, in prayer when love runs too short, in prayer when the easy choice seems the best choice.... Confession is the means of dependence for the prosperous follower of Jesus Christ.