Feeding a Hungry Soul: God. Doesn't. Need. My. Help.

Genesis 12:10-20

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman.And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace.He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram’s wife Sarai So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

Genesis 16:1-6

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

God doesn't need my help.

{Acts 17:24-25}

Like Abram and Sarai, who responded in different situations with problem solving skills they personally had the ability to perform, I too have had to learn the hard way that God doesn't need my help.

But I also know that the lessons learned from my 'well intended acts of help' were what God used to strengthen my faith and learn this valuable lesson...

God. Doesn't. Need. My. Help.

...He simply desires a surrendered heart and intimate fellowship with me.

I. Need. God's. Help.

...which He gives in abundance when I surrender my all to His will and enjoy the blessings of an intimate relationship with Him.

Prayer:

LORD GOD...I confess that I find myself needing to come to you daily to surrender a little more of my tendency to perform well intended acts of help for You. Thank You for the grace and mercy You pour over me daily as I learn this lesson a little bit at a time. I know You don't need me, but I am even more blessed by the fact that You desire fellowship with me. So much so that You sent Your Son to the cross so that I could walk in a full and intimate relationship with You. In the name of Jesus, I bring my offering of thanks to You. Amen.

Our recipe today is for Fellowship with God
The ingredients are from 1 Corinthians 1:9
The directions are to surrender to Him all need to 'help' and enjoy fellowship with Him while following His lead.

{CLICK HERE for a printable version of today's recipe for the soul. Make notes on it of how God is speaking to you today, and carry it with you to feed your soul as needed.}

Other conversations held at His table that may feed your soul today...
Get Ahold of God
Ready to Run
Confidently Trusting God