"Man's Great Need"

"Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us." (Psalms 80:2) If for what ever reason we are not feeling it, it's not God's fault, it is our own. I know that there are plenty of different thoughts on the manner by which we approach God for our need to be redeemed; but in a manor of need, is what I believe, is our greatest and most direct approach. In other words, we need to want it oh so much! This "stir up thy strength" thing that is being spoken of is not meant for God to get stronger, it's that our need for His strength might be manifested in the fact that we are weak. It's like a chain, any chain; a chain is only as strong as the weakest link. It really does not matter how strong you are in one particular area, or in many, there is always some area where you are weak. We must see our dependence upon God; not just for our weakest area, but our entire being; every single part of what we are. In other words, we don't leave anything out! Even that which you think you are strong in, you're really never as strong as you think that you are, and that's a fact. If you doubt me on that, then look at Peter, or Samson, or even King David; all where strong in there faith in the strength of the Lord, but they all three failed miserably by letting pride be their guide, if not but for a moment. That's really all it takes, just a moment; just one link in the chain can be weak, and the whole chain is ruined; the whole chain will not be good enough to perform what is expected of it. So, if you think you have some control over a certain area of your life, watch out, because that might just be the area which causes you to stumble. Why is that? you might ask. Really, you don't know why? Well, let's see. Maybe it's will be because it is the least area in your life given over for God's strength! It is the area where you think that you are strong enough to handle on your own...
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in us all."
(Colossians 3:1-11) NLT