Writernity

Ang Tatlong Huling Kahilingan ni Alexander the Great

Sinasabing noong nasa banig na ng kamatayan si Alexander the Great, naisip niya na ang lahat ng kaniyang tagumpay sa digmaan, kapangyarihan, at kayamanan ay walang silbi laban sa kamatayan.

Ipinatawag niya ang kaniyang mga heneral at ibinigay ang tatlong huling tiyak na kahilingan na dapat sundin sa kaniyang prusisyon sa libing:

Kahilingan 1: Ang kaniyang kabaong ay dadalhin lamang ng kaniyang mga pinakamahusay na manggagamot.

Ang Aral: Gusto ni Alexander na mapagtanto ng mga tao na pagdating ng oras, kahit ang pinakamahusay na mga doktor sa mundo ay walang kapangyarihan na iligtas tayo. May hangganan ang medisina, at hindi dapat natin ipagwalang-bahala ang buhay.

Kahilingan 2: Ang daan patungo sa kaniyang libingan ay dadamitan ng kaniyang mga ginto, pilak, at mahalagang bato.

Ang Aral: Gusto niyang makita ng lahat na ang lahat ng materyal na kayamanan na ginugol niya sa pananakop at pag-iipon ay mananatili dito sa Mundo. Hindi mo maaaring dalhin ang makamundong yaman sa kabilang buhay.

Kahilingan 3: Ang dalawang kamay niya ay hahayaang nakasawlaw sa labas ng kabaong para makita ng lahat.

Ang Aral: Gusto niyang maunawaan ng mundo ang huling katotohanan ng pag-iral ng tao: pumasok tayo sa mundong ito na walang dala, at aalis tayo na walang dala. Ang pinakamahalagang yaman na tunay nating taglay ay ang oras, at kapag naubos na ito, walang halaga ng ginto ang maaaring bumili ng kahit isang segundo pa.

Depend on God

Jeremiah 17:7–8
"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."

"The MORE you Trust in the Arm of the FLESH, the LESS you're going to see of the POWER of GOD." ~ Paul Washer

Dependence on God helps
1. To humble ourselves
2. To not weary
3. To not worry

1. Depend on the power of God
David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
Dependence on God: Young David faced the giant Goliath not with armor or sword, but in the name of the Lord.
Outcome: God gave David victory, showing He honors trust and courage grounded in Him.
_In salvation
_In trials
The frequency of prayer indicates one’s level of dependence on God.
_In battles

The dependence on God's power is the best choice. Let us be exhorted to exalt God alone, and ascribe to him all the glory of redemption. Let us endeavour to obtain, and increase in, a sensibleness of our great dependence, to have our eye on him alone, to mortify a self-dependent and self-righteous disposition.

When you ask God for strength, as I do daily, he doesn't usually just drop it from the sky. He often answers by placing you in a circumstance that requires you to build fortitude while relying solely on him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Self-sufficient Christians are weak, easily deceived, ineffective in service, easily angered, over-confident, and ruled by their emotions. Insufficient Christians, who know they can do nothing outside the power and strength that Christ gives, are actually strong, because the power of God flows through their utter dependence on Him.

2 Depend on the promise of God
Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1–19)
Dependence on God: Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac because he trusted God's promise.

Outcome: God provided a ram for the sacrifice, reaffirming Abraham’s faith and obedience.

He who has promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23
There is always design in our distress. God so values our trust in Him alone that He will graciously take away everything else in the world that we might be tempted to rely on: even life itself if necessary. His desire is that we grow deeper and stronger in our confidence that He Himself is all we need.

3 Depend on the provision of God
Jesus Feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13–21)
Dependence on God: The disciples had only five loaves and two fish, but brought them to Jesus.

Outcome: Jesus multiplied the food to feed a massive crowd, showing that God provides abundantly.

Trusting God is choosing to act in utter dependence on Him; trying harder is opting to retain control.

4 Depend on the protection of God
Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6)
Dependence on God: Daniel chose to pray to God even when it was outlawed.

Outcome: God shut the mouths of the lions, protecting Daniel and glorifying His name through the king’s decree.