When the board members of George Müller’s orphanage told him it was impossible to raise enough money to keep the operation going, Müller rejoiced. He said their sense of helplessness would make them rely more fully on the Lord. They did, and God met their need.

Complete dependence on God is an absolute necessity if we are to enjoy His blessing and power. But we seldom learn this truth apart from bitter experience.

Take Jacob, for example. For many years he had lived by his own schemes. Even though distressed when he heard that his brother Esau, whom he had wronged, was coming with 400 men, Jacob had a plan. He tried to make sure that if he were attacked, half of his family would survive. It was then that a “Man” (God in human form) wrestled with Jacob. Just before dawn, the Man demonstrated His deity by putting Jacob’s hip out of joint by a mere touch. All Jacob could do was cling to the Man, pleading for His blessing (Gen. 32:26; Hos. 12:4). This was a turning point in Jacob’s life, for he learned that blessing comes only from the Lord.

We too must realize that the only way to experience God’s favor and provision is to depend on Him. —HVL  — Herbert Vander Lugt