Trust God—Not Self

Reflection of the message, “Remember the Lord” by Daniel Kolenda

What happens when we rely more on human solutions than on the Lord? That’s the central question Daniel Kolenda raised in his sermon Remember the Lord. He examines 2 Chronicles 16, and shows how King Asa trusted foreign alliances and physicians rather than God—and in doing so, he lost peace, forfeited victory, and even dug his own grave.

This message resonated deeply with me because it speaks directly into my teaching series Remember, Record, Recite | Chapters of Your Testimony: Chapter Two. This portion of the lesson encourages introspection after assaults or failures, addressing the battle between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Human effort can look smart, strategic, and even necessary, but it often wars against the Holy Spirit’s leading. While God sometimes uses human help as part of His plan, the problem is when our first instinct is to lean solely on human strength instead of trusting Him. This message is an opportunity to examine biblical events, which should help you make the right choice to trust God, not self.

Trust the Lord–Full Stop

Kolenda emphasized the prophet Hanani’s words to Asa: “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance.” Asa turned to money and politics when he should have turned to prayer. God had delivered him before, but this time Asa leaned on man.

This makes me pause. How often do I use human logic to solve spiritual battles? I’ve rushed into decisions because the numbers lined up or the advice seemed solid, yet I had no peace in my spirit. Psalm 118:8–9 reminds me that it is always better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men. Wisdom is not wrong—but wisdom without prayer is incomplete.

When Fear Drives Decisions

Kolenda noted that Asa’s decision was rooted in fear. “Asa out of fear leaned upon the arm of the flesh and ended up creating the very thing he feared.” Fear distorted his judgment. Instead of eliminating war, his choice guaranteed ongoing conflict.

I understand that pull. Fear has made me grab for quick solutions rather than wait on God. Fear whispers that prayer takes too long, that I must act now or lose everything. But if I just surrender to God and his word, fear will turn into faith, and faith into hope. Isaiah 41:10 reminds me that He strengthens and upholds me. Acting in fear multiplies problems; acting in faith magnifies God’s power.

Practical Atheism in the Church

At one point, Kolenda warned that many believers live like “practical atheists.” They confess faith with their mouths but deny it with their lives. Asa knew God’s faithfulness but acted as if God couldn’t be trusted. The real danger was not outside Judah’s borders—it was Asa’s unbelief.

Sadly, I’ve been guilty of that, as I’m sure many others have.  There have been seasons where I professed trust in God, yet my choices proved otherwise. I said I trusted Him with provision, yet I worried constantly about finances. Jeremiah 17:5 is blunt: cursed is the one who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength. Faith is not just confession—it’s living as though God is enough.

Jesus at the Door

Kolenda drew from Revelation 3:20, pointing out that Jesus was knocking on the door of His own church. He said, “How can you have a church without Jesus? How can you be a Christian without Christ?” The picture is sobering—Christ outside, waiting to be invited back in.

That is strong imagery. And I’ve had times when Jesus was acknowledged in my life but not central. He wasn’t leading—He was an accessory. And every time, my life became disordered. But when Jesus is placed back at the center—over my family, work, and ministry—peace and clarity return. Keeping Him at the core is not optional; it is the only way to redemption and restoration.

Correction: Receive or Resist

Kolenda explained that Asa’s real downfall came when he rejected correction. “You can either humble yourself and receive it or you can harden your heart and turn against it.” Asa chose the latter—he imprisoned the prophet and hardened his spirit. That choice marked the turning point of his reign.

I’ve experienced correction from the Lord through Scripture, through wise counsel, even through difficult circumstances. At first, it can feel painful. But over the years, I’ve come to see rebuke as a sign of His love. Proverbs 3:11–12 tells me that discipline proves sonship. Every time I’ve humbled myself, repentance reshaped me and became part of my testimony. Resisting only prolongs the pain.

A Covenant of Surrender

The sermon ended with John Wesley’s covenant prayer: “I am no longer my own but thine.” Kolenda led the people to reaffirm Christ’s lordship over every part of life. It wasn’t empty liturgy—it was a deliberate act of surrender. The prayer is as follows:

Covenant language has power. That was and is a profession of faith. When I declare, “I am Yours,” it shifts my perspective. My business is not my own, my family is not my own, even my trials and tribulations are not my own—they belong to the Lord. Proverbs 3:5–6 promises that when I acknowledge Him in all my ways, He will direct my path. Surrender is not loss; it’s the pathway to peace.

Conclusion: Remember the Lord

Kolenda’s sermon and Asa’s story raise questions one can’t ignore. Am I trusting the Lord first, or leaning on human solutions? Do I let fear drive my choices, or do I wait on God’s leading? Are my actions reflecting faith—or practical atheism? Is Jesus truly at the center, or is He knocking from the outside? And when correction comes, will I harden my heart or humble myself?

Every believer must face these questions. For Asa, the answers shaped his testimony, and not in a good way. For me, they shape mine. When I choose dependence over self-reliance, fear gives way to faith, correction becomes growth, and surrender becomes freedom. This is what it means to Remember the Lord–Trust God, not self.

You can watch the full message, “Remember the Lord” below.

Daniel Kolenda is a missionary evangelist, pastor, author, and teacher, who has led tens of millions of people to Christ face-to-face through massive open-air evangelistic campaigns in some of the most dangerous, difficult, and remote locations on earth.

As the successor to world-renowned Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Daniel is the President and CEO of Christ for All Nations – a ministry which has conducted some of the largest evangelistic events in history, has published over 190 million books in 104 languages, and has 14 offices in 12 countries on 6 continents. He has hosted 2 internationally syndicated television programs (one daily and one weekly) and has authored 8 books, including the bestsellers LIVE Before You Die and Slaying Dragons.

In addition to international work, Daniel is also the Lead Pastor of a thriving local congregation in Orlando, Florida, called Nations Church. He is the founder of the CfaN Evangelism Bootcamp, also located in Orlando. These institutions and others are part of an overarching mandate to “multiply laborers for the sake of the harvest.” The emphasis on multiplication has already resulted in hundreds of ministers launched and ministries birthed, which have collectively documented millions of decisions for Christ in the last few years.Daniel graduated from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida and the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in Pensacola. Daniel and his family reside in the Orlando area.