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Just What I Need He Gives
We are sometimes smugly independent. It seems our society foments such an attitude. We are taught early on that it’s a sign of weakness to need anyone. The fact is, we need one another. The wise man said, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).
The passage has implications in every area of life. We need one another in our efforts to learn, in our attempts to endure society, in our mutual struggle against sin, in our endorsement of the gospel of Christ, in our aim toward heaven.
But most of all, we need God. It’s obvious that most folks don’t see that, mainly because they don’t want to. It messes up their fun. Most folks have the same air of independence when it comes to needing God that they have about needing one another.
I surely do need Him. I need Him:
When I’m tired. When I have tried and tried and tried, and when I just don’t think I can put one foot in front of the other, I need Him. When it seems like the way is hard and the time short, I need Him. When I tend to become weary in my well-doing, I need Him (see Galatians 6:9).
When I’m angry. I get mad sometimes. And when I do, I don’t always react to situations like I ought. I tend on such occasions to tolerate (and sometimes even have pleasure in) wrath. I really need God then. I need for Him to tell me again, “Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). I need to hear Him say, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19). I need Him to rebuke my anger and give me peace.
When I’m sad. There are just times when sadness comes. Like when someone you love dies, or when you see someone deeply hurt because of some tragedy. We all know that disappointment is a part of life and that it comes to all of us, but the recognition of that fact does little to soften the blow when it comes. It’s hard to keep your equilibrium when something makes you sad. But when I read that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35), I feel better. And just to know that God cares when I’m sad makes lots of difference in my ability to tolerate sadness.
When I’m hurt. No matter how self-sufficient we become, hurt comes. It’s painful when someone you love does you wrong, or when you have some great plan turn sour, or when some disappointment occurs. It hurts when some friend’s remark tears at your heart, or when some embarrassing incident has wounded your self-esteem. Those are times when you sure need God.
When I’m not sure. Have you ever been deserted by your own confidence? Do you have times when doubt rears up and swallows you, when ominous clouds of diffidence loom on every horizon? Timothy had such occasions, I guess (see 2 Timothy 1:5–12). It sure is good to know God is your Father in such times.
When I’m lonely. I don’t think there is a more sick feeling than loneliness—the feeling of sheer emptiness which comes from being completely alone. And it can happen in the midst of very social circumstances. Surrounded by scores of people, you are suddenly overwhelmed by the fact that you are completely alone. During such times, it’s just wonderful to know that God understands. Paul must have been sustained on such occasions by his knowledge that although he was deserted and lonely, God did not forget him (2 Timothy 4:16).
When I’m satisfied. Satisfaction is the thief of purpose; it robs a man of his initiative to do better. It causes his goal to be short, his perspective to become myopic. There is a terrible tendency to become complacent when you have all you need. I really need God most when things are good, because that’s often the time when I think I need Him least (see Ecclesiastes 7:14).
But most of all, I need God when I sin. I try not to sin, but sometimes I do. What sublimated joy to know that forgiveness is possible, that God will remember our sins no more if we just do what He says (Jeremiah 31:34). Of all the thoughts I have entertained in my life, none pleases more than that of forgiveness—for forgiveness is what I need most. - Christianity Magazine 1986
