Note: This lesson is based on Scripture passages for the weekly Bible study of the Ladies’ Sunday Class of First Baptist Church in Cooper, Texas.

Are you self-sufficient?

By Ruth Beeler Crow

One morning in September a few years ago, I went into my husband’s workshop as he worked. The radio was blaring to be heard over the equipment. We started hearing strange reports about an event as it happened. Not knowing for sure whether or not it was fact or fiction, I went into the other room and turned on the T.V.

I stood and watched as a plane flew into a skyscraper in New York City. When I screamed, Bill rushed into the room as I continued to watch in total shock. We later saw the buildings collapse as though we were watching a science fiction movie. Clouds of smoke billowed and people ran to escape the disaster. Darkness and despair flooded over us.

Other tragedies in our lifetimes include the Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine high school shootings, and the Amish school shootings. Each time a dark feeling of despair covered us as we struggled to understand what happened and considered the impact on the lives of those involved.

Questions to Ponder:

How did these events impart you personally? What was your emotional response? What changes did they cause in our society?

After the World Trade Center bombings on September 11, 2001, record numbers of people flocked to churches. This indicates that people were seeking God. However, in a few short weeks, the numbers of people attending church returned to the same levels as before.

Read Genesis 11:1-4.

Earlier studies have focused on God’s incredible precision as He created the world for us to enjoy.  God created a perfect place for His creation to live. His precise creation was marred by the sin and disobedience of Adam and Eve, so they were banished from the Garden of Eden and the presence of the Lord.

A pattern of separation from God begins when God sent Adam and Eve away from the Garden of Eden and God placed cherubim (a type of angel) to the east to prevent their return to the garden. Due to their sin, they were separated from God. Their son, Cain killed his brother. Cain was banished from God’s presence and lived in the land of Nod east of Eden. Lot, another descendent of Adam and Eve, chose to leave his uncle, Abraham, and travel eastward toward the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The pattern of separation from God continues as the descendents of Noah in Genesis 11 migrated east toward the valley of the land of Shinar.

God commanded mankind to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. However, these descendents disobeyed God and stayed in the valley. They made a plan to build a city and a tower. According to Genesis 11:4, their goal was to make a name for themselves as they built a tower to reach the sky. The tower was a step ladder building with a temple at the bottom for a residence for their pagan gods and a stairway for the gods to reach earth. Pride, arrogance and fear were motivating factors in their work. They were fearful of being scattered over the whole earth without regard for God’s command to multiply and fill the earth.

Questions to Ponder:

What causes separation from God in our world today?  How do people strive to make a name for themselves?

Do pride and arrogance cause you to make plans and build towers for yourself without following God’s commands? Does fear cause you to refuse God’s leadership in your life?

Read Genesis 11:5-9.

A figure of speech is used in this passage attributing human characteristics to God. God is all-knowing. He knows the past, present and the future. Our minds cannot understand the mind of God so a figure of speech is used to describe this attribute.

In verses 6 and 7, God speaks His mind. It is amazing that God’s thoughts are recorded for us. God saw one people and one language. The people were united in one purpose as they exalted themselves by making a name for themselves instead of worshiping the One True God.

God confused their language and work stopped on their project. Chaos and confusion reigned. The place was called Babylon or Babel which means “confusion” and it serves as a memorial of God’s judgment. God judged their evil ways as they sought to exalt themselves and their works above God and His works.

When our human plans do not focus on God’s purposes, we are building on sand and our works will collapse when storms arise (Matt. 7:26-27).

Read Proverbs 28:2-5 and 29:2-4.

These passages contrast the chaos of a sinful society and the stability of a nation when righteous leaders rule.

Consider the marks of a sinful society. There is rebellion with many rulers who have differing values. A destitute leader oppresses the poor like a driving rain leaves no food. Those who reject the law praise the wicked.

Question to Ponder:

Does anyone in our society praise the wicked or praise evildoing?

Evil men do not understand justice. Justice is based upon God and those who do not seek to understand God do not understand justice. The people groan when the wicked rule. Even godly people are influenced and they may lose the motivation to live right.

Those who deal with evil doers squander their wealth. And the one who demands bribes works to destroy the nation.

Now consider the contrast when righteous leaders rule. A discerning and knowledgeable leader facilitates the endurance of the nation. Those who keep the law fight against the wicked. Those who seek God have great understanding.

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice. One who loves wisdom brings joy. The leader brings stability and security to a nation by justice. Consider a society without justice. Chaos reigns where justice is disregarded.

On a more personal note, the psalmist wrote “Who is the person who fears (or reveres) the Lord? God will show him the way he should chose” (Ps. 25:12).

As a person grows spiritually and draws closer to God, we can live our lives so fully aware of God that we do not need to ask Him, “Is this Your will?” Oswald Chambers wrote that the thought of choosing another way will not occur to us. We need to seek God instead of seeking answers to the question, “why?” Remember those who seek God have great understanding.

David wrote, “I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4). Have you been delivered from all your fears? Deliverance is available as we seek God.

David also wrote, “I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts” (Ps. 119:100). The same passage mentions that the author has more understanding than his teachers and his enemies. Respecting one’s elders and others in authority are important lessons for each of us. However, living according to God’s Word provides more understanding than those in authority who refuse to live by His Word.

Diligently seeking God is rewarded by Him. “Now without faith, it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Are you a person who seeks God or do you make every effort to be self-sufficient? A dear friend of mine is separated from her husband and has filed for a divorce. She has told me that she can stand before God and truthfully say that she has done everything she can to save her marriage. My question is whether or not she has allowed God to do everything He can to save her marriage. The answer may lie with her desire to be self-sufficient. Most of us desire to live a self-sufficient life. And self-sufficiency can serve as a positive motivation for us to take action as God directs us.

Questions to Ponder:

Have you done everything you can about your situation? More importantly, have you allowed God to do everything He can about your situation?

God’s power exceeds our understanding. He created the entire universe with a few words He spoke. By His power, God raised Jesus from the dead. God’s power is available for our daily lives when we step back and allow God to work on our behalf. God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to His power that works within us (Eph. 3:20).

Seeking God involves drawing near to Him. He promised that He will draw near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8). Waiting until a tragedy occurs to draw near God is an indication of one’s desire to live a self-sufficient lifestyle. Spending a few quiet moments several times a day in prayer and meditation upon His Word are excellent ways to draw near Him. Are you self-sufficient or seeking God?

Copyright © 2007 Ruth Beeler Crow

 All rights reserved.