“Recognizing Our Need Before God”

The dictionary defines “need” as “a lack of something required or desirable. It is a necessity or obligation. Need is a condition of poverty.” But we have diluted this word and use it for everything.

Do you recognize the following statements? “I need some money.” “I need more time.” “I need to borrow the car.” The word “need” is a fill-in-the-blank word. If you were asked what your greatest need is, surely something would pop into your head immediately. 

“What is your greatest need?’” Write down whatever pops into your head:

My Greatest Need Is:

Turn to Philippians 4:19. (NIV) Fill in the blanks: 

“And my God will _______________ all your _______________ according to His glorious ____________ in ________________ _________________.”

According to the definitions of need found in the dictionary, There are two we will study in regards to our need of God. They are:

1. Something required
2. Something desired

Both define our need of God and God is faithful to meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Something Required

Read Micah 6:6-8. When you come before God in prayer what does He require? (See verse 8).

When we have a relationship with God, we have a “need” to meet the requirements He has of us. These definitions are meant to glorify Him and to edify ourselves and others. He commands us to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before Him.” Let’s look at these “need” requirements individually:

To act justly - Is to fulfill the obligation to reflect God’s attribute of justice. We must emulate His justice. This does not mean that we are to judge others. But we are to live our lives in accordance with what God deems as just.

Read 1 Peter 3:8-12. What are the requirements found in these verses for a right relationship with God?  (List as many as you can find):

When we are in a right relationship with God, what happens when we pray?   

What happens to us if we are not in a right relationship with God?

To have a right relationship with God we live our lives reflecting who He is. We must treat each other the way we are treated by God. He is full of compassion and mercy and so should we. The great thing is God supplies this ability because we can’t do it on our own. We receive His ability to love others and must rely on this promise.

To love mercy- God is merciful and requires the same of those who place their trust in Him. Do you show mercy? Often we don't know how or don't want to show mercy. We feel it is our "right" to punish those who have done wrong to us or our loved ones. But, God tells us differently.

Read Isaiah 57:15. Where are the two places that God lives?

What two things does God revive of the contrite and lowly?

Being contrite and lowly doesn't mean being a milquetoast. It means that we confess our sins to God who already knows them and assume our place of humility before Him. I think, (my thoughts) God answers prayers based on our humility and confession before Him. Are we holding back and standing in our pride? It's just a thought, but I often wonder if I am truly coming to Him with my need in the right frame of mind. 

Walk humbly with God- It is in our continuing relationship with God that we “need” to humble ourselves before Him. It is a requirement in our right relationship with Him. In Day One of this week we studied about our position before God. We learned our position involves knowing that He is God and we are not.

Read John 8:12. Answer the following:

How does Jesus describe Himself?

What does He promise to those who follow Him?

Apply this to your life.

How will you respond?

Walking humbly with God is to follow Jesus. He is the only Leader that can show us the way we should go. When we go it alone, we walk in the darkness. 

Something Desired

Read Psalm 37:4. Write out this verse and circle the words delight, desires and heart:

Now define each word below:

Delight :

Desire :

Heart:

   

So often when we seek to satiate the desires of the physical body, our spiritual desires get buried, when shovel after shovel of the dirt of our obsession is piled on our spirit as we dig for the treasures this world offers. We’re digging for the wrong treasure. This verse in Psalm 37 gives us the right place to fulfill what our heart, our inner being, desires. When we seek God, we find great pleasure and gratification in the deepest part of who we really are. And, guess what? God desires to fulfill our heart’s desires. He delights in it!

“The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love, 

He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

I remember holding my babies and rocking them gently, quieting them with a soft lullaby. They were fed and warm, swaddled snuggly in their blankets. I can’t describe the joy I felt looking down on these precious little ones. They were safe in my arms and their needs were taken care of. They rested peacefully and would smile in their sleep. What a delight! God feels the same way about you and me, even more so. He longs to fulfill our needs, to hold us safely in His arms so we can rest in the sheer delight of His fulfillment.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”                                  Philippians 4:19

Prayer Time

Remember the first question that I asked? What is your greatest need? I want you to answer it again, but this time, close your eyes and ask the Lord to reveal to you your true greatest need, the one your spirit longs for. Allow Him to uncover what the waste of your earthly desires has hidden.  Go to your Prayer Journal and write out what you discover. 

Discussion Questions

1. We all have needs. Our true need is for God. God requires three things found in Micah 6:6-8. What are they?
2. What does God say about meeting your true needs?
3. How does knowing that God delights in meeting your needs affect your prayers?