Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8224 dependence

Reliance upon God or upon others. Dependence on God for help with spiritual and physical needs arises out of an awareness of human helplessness, though dependence may be wrongly directed. People may look to others for encouragement and support, but over-dependence is not commended.

Dependence arising from a sense of helplessness

Physical helplessness

Psalm 18:6 See also Psalm 107:4-6; Psalm 116:6; Mark 4:38 pp Matthew 8:25 pp Luke 8:24; Mark 5:25-26 pp Matthew 9:20 pp Luke 8:43

Spiritual helplessness

Isaiah 64:6; Mark 9:17-18 pp Matthew 17:14-16 pp Luke 9:38-40; Romans 5:6; Romans 7:18

Dependence on God encouraged

God is to be trusted

Hebrews 4:16 See also Exodus 14:31; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 4:5; Psalm 9:10; Psalm 20:7; Psalm 37:3; Proverbs 3:5-6; Nahum 1:7; John 15:4-5

God is a refuge

Psalm 46:1 See also Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 62:8; Psalm 71:1

God can help those who depend on him

Hebrews 13:6 See also Psalm 118:6-7; Psalm 22:4-5; Psalm 33:18-20; Psalm 94:17-18

God will help those who depend on him

Luke 11:13 pp Matthew 7:11 See also Psalm 121:2-4; Psalm 145:18-19; James 1:5

Examples of failure to depend on God

Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 1:32; Deuteronomy 9:23; 2 Kings 17:14; Psalm 49:6,13; Isaiah 42:17

Dependence on God for physical help

2 Chronicles 20:12 Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. See also 2 Kings 19:14 pp Isaiah 37:14 Hezekiah; 2 Chronicles 13:18 the men of Judah

Asa:

2 Chronicles 14:11; 2 C 8 Psalm 22:9-10 David; Matthew 9:27-28 two blind men; John 2:3-5 Mary; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 Paul

Dependence on God for spiritual needs

Mark 10:14-15 pp Matthew 19:14 pp Luke 18:16-17 Childlike dependence is necessary for those who would enter God's kingdom ; John 3:27 See also Ruth 2:12; Luke 23:40-42; Luke 24:47-49; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Dependence on God expressed in prayer

Psalm 5:2 See also Psalm 22:24; Psalm 88:13; Psalm 102:1; Psalm 119:147; Psalm 130:1-2

Examples of those crying out in dependence on God

Exodus 2:23 the Israelites in Egypt; Job 30:28 Job in his suffering; Isaiah 30:19 the people of Jerusalem; Lamentations 3:55 Jeremiah; Jonah 2:2 Jonah from within the fish; Luke 18:13 the tax collector in the temple; Acts 12:5 the church praying for Peter; 2 Corinthians 1:11 the Corinthians praying for Paul

Misplaced dependence

Dependence on surrounding nations

Jeremiah 2:18 See also 2 Kings 18:20-21 pp Isaiah 36:5-6; Isaiah 31:1

Dependence on false gods and religions

Psalm 40:4 See also Deuteronomy 31:20; Isaiah 42:17; Colossians 2:8

Dependence on human strength and resources

Jeremiah 17:5; Romans 9:16 See also Psalm 33:16-17; Psalm 118:8-9; Psalm 127:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9

Dependence on sinful behaviour

Isaiah 30:12; Isaiah 59:4

The futility of misplaced dependence

Proverbs 25:19; Jeremiah 2:13 See also Isaiah 8:6-8; Isaiah 31:3; Hosea 10:13-14; Acts 12:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

A proper dependence on others is commended

Human help can strengthen

Galatians 6:2 See also Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Examples of a right dependence on others

Leviticus 21:3 a priest's support for an unmarried sister

Support for the poor and needy:

Deuteronomy 15:11; Matthew 25:35-36 1 Samuel 29:6 Achish found David to be a reliable soldier; Isaiah 8:2 Uriah and Zechariah were reliable witnesses; 2 Timothy 2:2 Reliable teachers are a blessing to the church.

See also

1035  God, faithfulness
1240  God, the Rock
1320  God as Saviour
5691  friends, good
6106  addiction
7921  fellowship
8021  faith
8026  faith, growth in
8030  trust
8331  reliability
8354  trustworthiness
8602  prayer