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Deuteronomy 26:1-11 – #60 Praying through the Bible – A Prayer of Total Dependence
Many things are beyond my comprehension, but one of the most simple is fully grasping how totally dependent upon God I am. Intellectually I know it, but I can get so busy working and providing for my family that I don’t think about it. How easy is it to think when I look at my paycheck, “I owe it to myself to spend it on me?” When most children are small, they know their parents provide for all their necessities, even without thinking about it. They do not worry the pantry will be empty. The concept of money is magical. When I told my kids, “I don’t have the money” they responded with incredulous glee, “Just go to the ATM!” As children get older, they get more want more independence. Some get jobs and money means self-sufficiency. And the delusion begins. Independence is an allusion for everyone, one that we too easily comprehend.
Moses instructs Israel to give to God the first fruits (Dt 26.2) which is the very best. God has always asked, demanded, and only accepted the top of the top. Why? “Because He is God” is true, but that is only looking at God as worthy of worship. “Because God has given us His best” is another truth, which looks at our relationship to God as recipients of His gifts and grace. What we give to God in the present is based upon what God has given us in the past, and how valuable we view that grace.
Consider the points of this Israelite prayer (Dt 26.5-10). Israel started off with nothing, just wandering, not even yet an “Israelite” (v.5). This Aramean family clan became something great and powerful from just a few people, in a land not theirs (v.5). Evil days came (v.6), and Israel called out to Yahweh (v.7) who saved them from affliction and slavery (v.8). Yahweh gave Israel a new land, even better than the one where they became great (v.9). The reason Israel gives the first of the land’s produce is because Israel’s whole history is one of total dependence (v.10).
Now make the application to ourselves. Spiritually we are nothing, wandering around in sin. God makes us special, His children, His holy nation. Even when bad times come, God hears our solicitations and saves us in ways only He can imagine. Finally, when life is over, our Benefactor gives us something greater than we ever possessed in this life; a new Promised Land.
Equally important to all the facts of the past, is the present, constant reminder of total dependence. Whenever an Israelite offered this gift to God, they reminded themselves that everything they have came from God. I need to remind myself too. It is too easy to be deluded. One day, I will fully understand how totally dependent I am upon God. But until then, I need to keep giving God my best, and reminding myself of everything.
Prayer Challenge: “Count Your Many Blessings” is easier to sing than to do. But our actions must accompany the song. Self-examine our time, money, gifts, attitude and pray that God will help us understand how totally dependent we truly are.
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