Session 12

Who Needs God?

From Hosea: A 12-Day Devotional

“I can do it myself!”

Ever heard an angry toddler yell that? He’s determined to accomplish something on his own and refuses your help. As parents, we chuckle and watch those fierce little ones in amusement, knowing we could help if only they would let us.

In some ways, we’re all like toddlers. We insist we know better than God. We don’t need His help, His guidance, His input. The Israelites were guilty of this, too. Despite all that God had done for them, they relied on themselves and on idols. Hosea 13:6 says, “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.”

Just like the toddler who refuses to ask for help, often we only turn to God when we’ve exhausted all our own efforts. Our pride keeps us from remembering that He is there and He knows what is best for us.

If we, as earthly parents, are eager to help our children, how much more eager is God to help us? He watches as we attempt to do life on our own and struggle through the consequences. But He’s always there, waiting for us to stop relying on ourselves and look to Him for help. God’s plan has gotten us to where we are right now. Wouldn’t He know best how to get us to where we need to be?

Reflect

• What circumstances in your life are you trying to handle on your own?
• Can you think of a time when you realized God’s plan was better than yours?
• Take some time to thank God for being there and ask Him for help.