March 21, 2026 Devo

Independence. Isn’t that what we fight for from the day we’re born? One of the first words we learn as a toddler is “Mine!” Then we progress to one of our first full sentences, “I can do it MYSELF!” We want to dress ourselves, walk to school by ourselves, and go to the store by ourselves. Then we become teens, and the war REALLY begins! We want to drive by ourselves, stay out late by ourselves, and go on dates by ourselves. Being self-sufficient and independent seems to be built into our wiring. And maybe to some degree, it is and needs to be. But it is a dangerous inclination that can cause us great harm if we’re not careful. Becoming independent may be a part of growing up, but learning how and when to lean on others and ask for help is a big part of maturity, too.
That drive to be independent is also at the heart of our struggle with God as well. Since being independent is a part of becoming an adult, it’s a part of being a mature Christian as well, right? Wrong! As funny as it seems, a maturing Christian discovers that he is to become MORE dependent on God, not less. “Growing up” in the faith is learning that we need MORE of God’s Wisdom, MORE of God’s Strength, and MORE of God’s Spirit, not less. Paul described this understanding so well when he said, “When I am WEAK, then I am strong!”
Isaiah’s prayer is not the prayer of someone childish. It’s the prayer of people who have learned the hard way just how messed up life can become when we try to live it out of our own wisdom and strength. We’re better off waiting on God than charging ahead on our own. We need HIS strong arm and HIS saving Hand each and every day of our lives. Children may have to learn how to become independent, but children of God need to learn the exact opposite. We need to discover just how dependent on God we are. That’s God’s Word for you today.