The concept of reliance in the Bible often pertains to trust, dependence, and faith in God. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to rely on God for strength, guidance, and provision. This reliance is not merely a passive trust but an active faith that manifests in obedience and devotion.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, reliance on God is a central theme. The Israelites were repeatedly called to trust in the Lord rather than in their own strength or in foreign powers. For instance, in 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, the prophet Hanani rebukes King Asa for relying on the king of Aram instead of the Lord: "At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: 'Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.'" . This passage underscores the importance of placing trust in God rather than in human alliances.

The Psalms frequently express a deep reliance on God. Psalm 37:5 encourages believers to "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it" . This verse highlights the assurance that comes from entrusting one's life to God, who is faithful to act on behalf of His people.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, reliance on God is exemplified through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself demonstrated reliance on the Father, as seen in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: "Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will'" (Matthew 26:39). Here, Jesus models submission and trust in God's will, even in the face of suffering.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes reliance on God, particularly in the context of weakness and trials. In 2 Corinthians 1:9, Paul writes, "Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead" . This reliance is not only for deliverance from physical danger but also for spiritual strength and perseverance.

Theological Implications

Reliance on God is foundational to the Christian faith. It involves acknowledging human limitations and the need for divine intervention. This reliance is rooted in the character of God, who is faithful, sovereign, and loving. Believers are called to trust in God's promises and His ability to fulfill them.

The Bible warns against misplaced reliance, such as trusting in wealth, human wisdom, or earthly power. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This passage encourages believers to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all aspects of life.

Practical Application

For Christians today, reliance on God is expressed through prayer, worship, and obedience to His Word. It involves seeking God's direction in decision-making and trusting Him in times of uncertainty. Reliance on God also fosters a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that He is in control and works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

In summary, reliance on God is a vital aspect of the believer's relationship with Him, characterized by trust, faith, and dependence on His unfailing love and power.(imp. & p. p.) of Rely.793. asteriktos -- unstable, unsettled
... properly, not established (unstable), describing someone who (literally) does not
have a staff to lean on -- hence, a person who can be relied on because they ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/793.htm - 7k

3982. peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
... listen (1), obey (3), obeying (1), persuade (4), persuaded (8), persuading (1),
put...trust (1), put confidence (1), put...confidence (1), relied (1), seeking ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3982.htm - 10k

8172. shaan -- to lean, support oneself
... 8171, 8172. shaan. 8173 . to lean, support oneself. Transliteration: shaan
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-an') Short Definition: relied. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/8172.htm - 6k

5564. samak -- to lean, lay, rest, support
... root Definition to lean, lay, rest, support NASB Word Usage braced (1), holds (1),
laid (6), laid siege (1), lay (17), lean (1), leans (3), relied (1), rested ...
/hebrew/5564.htm - 6k

982. batach -- to trust
... 3), confident (2), fall down (1), felt secure (1), have (2), have confidence (1),
put my trust (3), put their trust (2), put your trust (1), relied (1), rely (8 ...
/hebrew/982.htm - 6k

The Scriptures Relied on by Praxeas to Support his Heresy but Few. ...
... Chapter XX."The Scriptures Relied on by Praxeas to Support His Heresy But
Few. They are Mentioned by Tertullian. But I must take ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xx the scriptures relied on.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... PART II. OF THE AUXILIARY EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER VI. One argument which
has been much relied upon but not more than its just weight? ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

The Secret of victory
... OF VICTORY. 'The children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon
the Lord God of their fathers.'"2 Chronicles 13:18. These ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the secret of victory.htm

The New Testament Canon in the First Three Centuries.
... CHAPTER VI. THE NEW TESTAMENT CANON IN THE FIRST THREE CENTURIES. The first Christians
relied on the Old Testament as their chief religious book. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter vi the new testament.htm

The Perfect Heart.
... "Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God,
therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter viii the perfect heart.htm

Preface
... {0a} "Lord Hailes has shown," he adds, "how little Knox's statements" (in his "History")
"are to be relied on even in matters which were within the Reformer's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lang/john knox and the reformation/preface.htm

In Reference to Daniel My Answer Will be that I did not Say that ...
... prophet. But I wished to show what was the opinion upheld by the Jews; and
what were the arguments on which they relied for its proof. ...
/.../33 in reference to daniel.htm

The Battle of the Books, 1749-1755.
... Instead of cutting their coat according to their cloth, they relied on
a fictitious capital supposed to exist on the Continent. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the battle of.htm

National Apostasy
... "Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God,
therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

A Decade of Controversies and Schisms.
... On the other hand, the Old-School party relied, in the coup d'??glise that was in
preparation, on the support of "an almost solid South." [195]. ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xvii a decade of.htm

Relied (10 Occurrences)
...Relied (10 Occurrences). ... Luke 18:9 And to some who relied on themselves as being
righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable. ...
/r/relied.htm - 9k

Rely (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and
said unto him: 'Because thou hast relied on the king of Aram, and hast not ...
/r/rely.htm - 15k

Seer (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said
to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on ...
/s/seer.htm - 17k

Hanani (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said
to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on ...
/h/hanani.htm - 12k

Hana'ni (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and
said unto him: 'Because thou hast relied on the king of Aram, and hast not ...
/h/hana'ni.htm - 9k

Reliance (6 Occurrences)

/r/reliance.htm - 8k

Escaped (94 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said
to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on ...
/e/escaped.htm - 37k

Relief (32 Occurrences)

/r/relief.htm - 16k

Asa (54 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said
to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on ...
/a/asa.htm - 29k

Victorious (17 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time,
and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on Yahweh, the God of ...
/v/victorious.htm - 11k

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Relied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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