Learning to rely on God involves him taking us to the end of our selves.
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; [Psalm 86:11]
When what we see ahead is beyond our resources can our faith, love and hope stretch to meet his faithfulness?
Faith, because I will need to believe in the way he reveals over what I can see.
Love, because his way of love is sacrificial and what I see ahead will take more than I have.
Hope, because I will only rely on him as I know him and the relationship will be stretched.
The second half of the verse stretches us in another direction,
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
When a threat is presented, it will bring to light what I take most seriously; what I fear. I can see it through the lenses of-
Love- Do I love God more than my own skin?
Hope- Do I know my God, who could deliver rescue out of nowhere, well enough to believe that he has my best interest in hand?
Faith- Do I take seriously the Lord’s commitment to our relationship and so fear the consequences of my failure more than I fear the threat?