How Much Do We Need God?

     Just how much do we need God?  Even the most faithful and dedicated people probably do not really think much on a daily basis about how much they truly need God.  If we’re asked the question, most all of us would quickly affirm that we need God every step of the way, every day.  But most of us probably do not demonstrate that realization much in the way we live our lives.  We get caught up in all of the busy-ness of daily living.  Well, do we really need God?

     Ask a single mother who’s been deserted by the father of her children.  She has no money, no job, no real skills and she may be pregnant again.  She’s lived a hard life in the relatively short time she’s been alive.  Her natural beauty, so apparent not long ago, has by now faded greatly.  It’s not likely that her looks will attract a man who’ll want to provide for her and her children.  She’s reduced to the meager subsistence she can gain through government aid and charity.  Do we really need God?
     Ask a man who’s worked hard his whole life, over twenty five years with the same company.  He does his job well, the only job he really knows.  He’s over fifty years old now.  He still owes another ten years on his home and four more on that car he and his wife bought last year.  He has two children yet in college.  It’s not been easy, but he and his wife have managed fairly well.  When the house is paid off he can begin to save for retirement.  But today, when he goes to work he and nearly all of his co-workers receive a letter stating that the company has been sold to a larger company in another location that manufactures the same product.  His company will be closed, effective at the end of the month.  Everyone will receive two weeks severance pay.  The old and new owners alike regret any inconvenience or hardship that may result from this action.  Do we really need God?
     Ask a woman who’s just heard the doctor pronounce the dreaded word to her, “cancer!”  She wants to know her prospects.  What can be done?  Is the prognosis good?  Did they catch it in time?  Will she, die!?  The doctor cannot make any promises.  He tries to offer hope, encouragement.  Radiation is often effective.  Chemotherapy has shown promise.  Surgery is not an option in this case.  Only time will tell...  The woman leaves the doctor’s office, her mind filled with questions, confusion, sheer terror.  Tears stream down her cheeks.  She must go home and fix dinner, and tell her family!  Do we really need God?
     Ask the people who are trapped in such a state of depression that they can’t function.  Nothing stirs their interest.  They’d rather sleep than face life.  They eat just enough to drive away the hunger pangs. They don’t talk much; they have nothing to say.  Their faces show little expression because they feel little of anything, except a sense of hopeless despair.  People keep telling them to “snap out of it,” but those people don’t understand that they’re being crushed by a weight they can’t budge by themselves.  Their constant wish is to be able to care again, to feel joy again, to live.  Do we really need God?
     And what of the hundred other situations that suddenly, starkly bring us face to face with the frailty of our physical existence?  The stroke victim?  The drug addict?  The alcoholic?  The elderly person living out his/her final years in a nursing home?  The patient lying on the gurney waiting to be wheeled into the operating room for major surgery?  Do we really need God?
     Yes, we really, really need God!  Every step of the way, every day.  But not just when things go bad.  We need God when things are good.  We need to walk with him when we feel strong, happy, healthy,  when we’re young and vigorous.  If we walk with God when things are good, we’ll be better able to face staggering realities that come our way later on.  Let’s not take God for granted.  Let’s look to Him for strength and direction every day.  Let’s thank Him for all of His blessings, verbally and by living our lives in such a way that we use those blessings in His service and to His glory.  We really need God…