A while ago, I was thinking about how wonderfully self-sufficient our God is. A lot of our worship songs point to this, several Bible verses emphasize this, and yet it’s pretty amazing still! In Isaiah 40, the prophet considers how vastly superior the Creator is to the created. Psalm 50 explains how entirely unnecessary sacrifices and offerings are since there is nothing that God needs. Jesus states in John 5:26 (NLT), “The Father has life in himself, and he has granted the same life-giving power to his Son.” He is an All-Sufficient God.
The Lord has life in himself. He doesn’t need anyone to feed him, provide clothes for him. He doesn’t need protection from enemies or elements. He doesn’t need counsel or encouragement. He’s not subject to any natural or man-made laws. He operates outside of time and space. He’s not dependent on anyone for anything. He himself is the supplier of all good. (James 1:17) God doesn’t need to outsource for anything.
God reveals his name
There are two Hebrew names that especially reflect God’s all-sufficiency. El Shaddai means the Almighty, All-Sufficient One. This is how he revealed himself to Abraham before making a covenant with him. I’m pretty sure making a covenant with someone who is all-sufficient means you get the better deal! God is also know as Jehovah which means Self-Existent One, or I AM. This is how God introduces himself to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14. God is the one WHO IS. Everything else exists through him. (Col. 1:15-17)
Our Father, the perfect resource or the last resort
So if we have the Maker of the Universe as our personal friend, what else could we possibly need? “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Why is the Lord often our last resource? Are we still impressed by the non-biblical adage that “God helps those who help themselves”? Do we think that we bother him and should reserve our requests for only the major crises of life?
I think we forget how much he loves us. It can be hard to approach God for help with messes we’ve created ourselves. We can assume that the Lord is busy with other, greater concerns for people who are better and more deserving. Let me assure you that, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18) He isn’t using up all his love and grace and help on others with more urgent needs. He isn’t limited in his resources.
I had to remind myself of this just last night as an error came up on the website. I hate trying to figure out technology or even where to go for help! So although my heart was anxious, I went to bed. I had to keep reminding myself that God knew how to fix things and could show me how to do it. He gave me an idea and when I woke up and tried it, it worked! Amazing!
The All-Sufficient God chooses to use his children
And let me remind us all that although God doesn’t need to outsource, he often chooses to use us. Not because he needs us, but because he loves us. We get to be part of the good and the love that he is involved in when we pray for others, when we serve and help others, when we offer kindness and grace. It is then that we act like the children he has chosen us to be because we are acting like our Heavenly Father.
