Does God Need Us?

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” -Romans 11:34-36.

Does God really need us? The simple answer is NO. For God to have a real need of anything would imply that His own creation limits His ability, which can never be. God chooses the way in which He works, and can bend the rules as He sees fit. Reality is what God makes it to be!

Yes, God has made a way in which things typically function, such as the tides, the seasons, rotation of the earth, etc. These standards attest to God's power, and also declare His glory when He overrides the “natural” order of things; like when a donkey speaks (Numbers 22:28), the Red Sea parts (Exodus 14:22), or the sun moves backwards (2 Kings 20:11). We should be encouraged by such things to believe God for miracles as our needs may require.

But even though God doesn't have a real need for anything, He loves mankind whom He has made in His image. Jesus, God's Son, died on the cross for our sins, that we might be reconciled to God as a new creation, in fellowship with Him.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” -2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

Yet after our reconciliation to God, it is only natural to want to live pleasing lives for Him, and hopefully share with others what He has done for us (and that He wants to do for them!). We start out well in the grace of God, but there are many who then begin throwing themselves into good works; they mean well, but essentially are keeping busy for God without really being directed by Him. This can be noticed at times when a project being worked on becomes something we can't let go of, no matter how much we need rest, or other things need attention, The work has become an IDOL, and it is dependent upon our service. Brethren, when we see any service God has called us to as depending upon ourselves, then the service has ceased to belong to the Lord. Please consider the testimony of scripture;

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” -James 1:17.

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” -Romans 9:15,16.

“There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.” -Psalm 33:16-20.

And even though we have been given the Great Commission to evangelize the world, salvation is still a work of God, and not men (Mark 10:26,27; John 3:8).

In the book, Like a Mighty Wind, Mel Tari writes about an experience he had during the Indonesian revival in the late 1960s; he said at one point they went to evangelize in a very remote village, and found something incredible-God had already visited the witch doctor, revealed Himself, and brought redemption to the village!!! We may be called to be Christ's witnesses, but God is doing the real work, and this is an incredible example of His unlimited ability.

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” -I Corinthians 3:5-7.

The point I am making is a simple one; don't hold on too tightly! Be willing to lay all down for the Lord, knowing that the real work is His. This can be a great test for us, to see if we are actually trusting in the Lord, or only ourselves. Obedience to God will take us in some strange directions, for we ARE strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13-16).

Such principles also apply in our deaths, which are times appointed by God, and this may challenge our affections. God will take care of our loved ones; we must TRUST Him in faith, and surrender to His will. Remember that there is a time for everything under the sun, and that includes moving on. God doesn't really need us, but loved us enough to send His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Accept His will for your life, and rest from your own labors. The work is God's, resting in His wisdom.

“And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” -Hebrews 3:18-4:1.