Jehovah Doesn't NEED Us...So WHY Does He Use Us?

[Timl1980]

I want to start this post off by fully acknowledging AND apologizing for the fact that this post might be longer than some of you care to read...but I promise...it is indeed worth the time it will take to read it! My sincere hope and desire is that each of you will feel as uplifted and secure in your faith after hearing this...as when it was shared with me...a few days ago!

 

The majority of this information came from a substitute C.O., so please do not think I am taking credit. I am simply choosing to pass on, (mostly),...what this very dear brother shared with me...something which he received from a dear personal friend in Bethel...and which he is considering adding to a talk of his.

 

To begin...please allow me to present to you...the following quote...from a very well-known man: "With such men as you...our cause could not be lost."

 

Napoleon once openly acknowledged this to his famous loyal "Old Guard"...admitting that his success hinged on the men who followed him into battle. Without them...he was simply..."one man"...albeit a brilliant one...but still...just one man!

 

In short...even though Napoleon freely admitted that he needed each and every single one of his men in order to accomplish what he did...and even though those men may have felt validated and important after hearing such a rousing speech from their commander...still, for the most part, their names and their individual accomplishments went largely unrecorded in the annuls of time...it was Napoleon who gained the glory and the prestige of having accomplished everything he did.

 

My dear brothers and sisters...the opposite is true with Jehovah.

 

He doesn't NEED any of us...not a single one of us...after all, he has limitless power and wisdom! He isn't held back by human weaknesses...he doesn't require an army or servants to accomplish his purposes. (Acts 17:24,25: "The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples;25 nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.")

 

Jehovah, quite literally...needs NOTHING from us...just think: He sent ONE angel to strike down 185,000 men in ONE night...a task that thousands of Israelite soldiers couldn't have accomplished in that time frame.

 

Not convinced?

 

Look at Jesus' own words at Matthew 26:53: "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than 12 legions of angels?"

 

Notice how Jesus said..."angels"...not humans?

 

Jehovah does not need anything from us...nor does his Son!

 

David acknowledged this at 1 Samuel 17:47: "And all those gathered here will know that it is not with the sword or the spear that Jehovah saves, for the battle belongs to Jehovah, and he will give all of you into our hand.”

 

Unlike Napoleon...or any other human leader...Jehovah has never faced a scenario where HIS plans have fallen short due to HUMAN failings! He never tires out...there is NO obstacle he cannot surpass. 

 

Therefore...an essential question arises...and one that I have frankly secretly considered myself on many occasions: If Jehovah God doesn't NEED us...WHY DOES HE INVOLVE US AT ALL???

 

Why not use angels...or the "stones" to cry out...instead of us??

 

Please take a walk with me...my dear brothers and sisters...a walk through a figurative illustration that will, hopefully, help each and every single one of YOU understand why Jehovah chooses to use YOU...instead of an angel...instead of a "rock"...to help others to get to know HIM!

 

There once was a very loving father...a father who loved his children very much...each and every single one of them was precious in his eyes...and he tried his best to raise them with true love and dignity.

 

One day...this father realized the time had come to paint the inner walls of his home.

 

He knew he could do this job perfectly...if he but put his mind to it...the job would be done quickly and beautifully...without a single missed stroke.

 

But after working by himself for a while...suddenly he catches sight of his young son watching him from the corner of the room...an oversized paintbrush clutched firmly in one tiny fist. His son is watching and attempting to imitate his every brush stroke...just waiting for the smallest sign from his daddy that he can be of SOME help...no matter how small, no matter how insignificant it may be to his father.

 

The father...not wanting to hurt his child...invites him to come forward and help...stooping to his level and painting slowly and carefully alongside him.

 

Now...let's be real...the father in this scenario certainly doesn't need his son's help, if anything...the little boy's unsteady strokes might actually drip paint and hinder progress...causing further delays and even, at times, serious need for repairs.

 

And yet...the father doesn't hate his son for these delays...it's the JOY in his son's eyes that matters...it's the BOND that starts to mature and grow before his very eyes that MATTERS to this father!!

 

Later on...the father can always touch up on any spots where the son has messed up...the point is: The child's willing participation is worth FAR MORE than a "perfectly painted" wall could EVER be! 

 

Now...my dear brothers and sisters...please take a spiritual walk with me...(as this dear brother took me on)…and please take a serious look at just a few of the children that Jehovah has allowed to "paint" alongside him as he brings this world back to perfection.

 

He allowed Adam to work side by side with him by naming the animals...please just consider...certainly Jehovah knew BEST what to call each of his creatures...and yet look closely at what he said to Adam at Genesis 2:19: "Now Jehovah God had been forming from the ground every wild animal of the field and every flying creature of the heavens, and he began bringing them to the man to see what he would call each one; and whatever the man would call each living creature, that became its name."

 

Jehovah could have done everything by himself...and yet here he is...entrusting that important task to Adam...giving this single human a LASTING SHARE in his creative work...even though Adam ended up becoming unfaithful! (Imagine if Jehovah had decided to rename all the animals simply because our forefather had proved unfaithful!!

 

Jehovah told Noah to build the Ark...he could have miraculously created an ark for Noah and his family...but instead he chose to dignify Noah's obedience!

 

He empowered Moses to not only confront Pharaoh, but to lead the Israelites out of Egypt...even though it was HE who caused the miracles and ultimately freed them.

 

He told the Israelites to march around the walls of Jericho...even though HE made the walls fall down!

 

In each and every single one of these cases...and a thousand more just like them...Jehovah was the loving parent...he was the one from who's hand came the essential success!

 

But WHY????

 

Simply because...as Psalms 138:6 points out: "Though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance."

 

And it's the same today...he continues to extend this simple yet beautiful invitation...

 

Matthew 28:19: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit..."

 

Do you get it yet?

 

Jehovah continues to commission us...imperfect, sinful humans...to carry the greatest message ever given to mankind. He cares about the QUALTIY of our service...not the quantity.

 

Not convinced? (Please take a serious look at Luke 21:1-4)

 

Jehovah measures devotion...WHOLE SOULED DEVOTION...not dollars...not "statistics"!

 

Now...how can I wrap this post up?

 

What can I say that will help even the most pessimistic among us that Jehovah loves YOU??

 

The simple truth is...yes...Jehovah CAN do it without you...but the secret is...HE DOESN'T WANT TO!!!!

 

Believe it or not...whether you understand it or not...a victory on Jehovah's behalf...is a victory on YOUR behalf! 

 

Please...allow Jehovah to take your hand and make those imperfect brush strokes...because while you may not be needed...in Jehovah's service you are VALUED more than you will ever know...because of YOU...he takes another imperfect brush stroke and turns it into something perfect...because of each and every single one of YOU...Jehovah's chariot moves closer and closer to the end of this system of things!!

 

I love each and every single one of you...and may Jehovah continue to bless each of you!

 

 

Edited May 7 by Timl1980

[Dages]

As always, a great post, thank you for this encouragement, Tim.

 

Jehovah did not need a masterworker, but he used Jesus in creation too  

[Ishaya]

I think Jehovah needs us,

its just that,that shouldn't get into our head too much that we begin to think he can't do without us.

[Jwanon]

13 minutes ago, Ishaya said:

I think Jehovah needs us,

its just that,that shouldn't get into our head too much that we begin to think he can't do without us.

 

Jehovah is self-sufficient, it is one of his attributes 

 

He doesn't need anything

[Timl1980]

3 hours ago, Ishaya said:

I think Jehovah needs us,

its just that,that shouldn't get into our head too much that we begin to think he can't do without

 

While I think I understand what you are getting at, the scriptures are crystal clear in this subject... Jehovah needs nothing...from anyone...ever. 

 

By the very definition of the word "need"... You can clearly see that it in no way shape or form fits Jehovah.

 

In fact, there is a term, Divine Aseity, accepted in most religions...that asserts the same thing.

[Ishaya]

12 hours ago, Timl1980 said:

 

While I think I understand what you are getting at, the scriptures are crystal clear in this subject... Jehovah needs nothing...from anyone...ever. 

 

By the very definition of the word "need"... You can clearly see that it in no way shape or form fits Jehovah.

 

In fact, there is a term, Divine Aseity, accepted in most religions...that asserts the same thing.

 

Please can you share a scripture that clearly shows this?

 

I think the word "need" can be viewed In two ways.

 

(1) in the absolute sense:

In this sense,it means that Jehovah cannot do anything without us, cannot survive without us,cannot be happy without us.

 

For example we need air to live,its absolute.

 

(2) in a relative sense.

In this sense,Jehovah chooses to attach a significant value to us,that in a sense can mean that he needs us.

For example, we need a bedbug-free bed to live,not that we cannot do without such bed,but we have attached a very significant importance to that.

[Timl1980]

23 minutes ago, Ishaya said:

Please can you share a scripture that clearly shows this?

 

Acts 17:25: "nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things." 

[Timl1980]

34 minutes ago, Ishaya said:

Please can you share a scripture that clearly shows this?

 

Paul seized upon the situation to make his point, for he told the crowd that was surrounding him that they were unknowingly giving godly devotion to the “God that made the world and all the things in it.” This was the very One that Paul was now going to publish to them. This “Unknown God” that Paul worshiped does not need anything, “because he himself gives to all persons life and breath and all things.” Paul continues and says: This God “made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth.”

 

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/301970000?q=Jehovah+does+not+need+anything&p=par

[lvj]

I’ve been reflecting on the idea that Jehovah does not need us. It’s a thought that has been shared in this thread and one that I’ve personally found both profound and emotionally challenging at times.

Why is it that this statement—“Jehovah doesn’t need us”—can make us feel a little sad or unsettled?
Could it be that deep down, many of us long to feel needed by Jehovah—to feel that we are essential to His purpose, that our presence truly matters?

That longing isn’t selfish. It may come from our desire to be close to Jehovah, to have meaning in our relationship with Him. In human terms, being “needed” often equals being valued. But with Jehovah, things are wonderfully different.

Jehovah was perfectly happy before anything was created—before Jesus, the angels, or humankind. He lacked nothing. He is self-sufficient in power, wisdom, and joy. He did not create because He needed anything. He created because He loved—and because love gives.

That pre-creation state was not uncomfortable, empty, or lacking in any way. It was not like a bed infested with bedbugs—something unpleasant that had to be fixed. Even when Jehovah was entirely alone, He was already completely joyful and fully satisfied. His happiness was not incomplete—it was perfect.

This is where the picture becomes even more beautiful. Jehovah does not need us. Yet He chooses to involve us, value us, and allow us to bring joy to His heart. Not because we are necessary to Him, but because He wants us.

Jehovah's love is not limited to a few.
He extends His undeserved kindness to all, inviting everyone to come to know Him. (1 Timothy 2:4)
If we are being used by Him, it is not because we were more worthy—it is because we responded to His invitation. His love and kindness are always available to all.

That changes everything. It means we are not part of His purpose because He requires us—but because He desires a relationship with us. It’s not dependence—it’s love.

Scripture supports this. Acts 17:25(Rbi8) tells us that “neither is he attended to by human hands as if he needed anything.” Everything we have and are already comes from Him. So when Jehovah blesses us or uses us in His service, it is not because He needs us to accomplish something. It is a gift—an expression of His undeserved kindness.

What a relief that is. Because if Jehovah’s love depended on our usefulness, it would be fragile. But instead, it is firm and unconditional. We are not loved because we are needed—we are loved because He chooses to love us.

And out of that love, He allows us to do something incredible: we can bring joy to His heart. That’s not a result of us providing something He lacks—it’s a result of His undeserved kindness in allowing our faithful response to touch His perfect heart.

So perhaps the statement “Jehovah doesn’t need us” isn’t cold or discouraging after all.
Maybe it’s an invitation to see something deeper: that to be wanted by the One who needs nothing is even more beautiful than being needed.

[LeolaRootStew]

Jehovah doesn't need us now, just like he didn't need us before we were created.

 

So why did he create us in the first place? Love.

 

Why does he use us now? Love.

[Abigail]

Jehovah doesn't need us but he wants us. He loves to see our loyalty. It brings him great joy. He already has sufficient joy but we (little us) can give him even more joy. He also loves to see us joyful. We can be joyful knowing we bring Jehovah joy. We do count. It does matter to him what we do.

 

Illustration. A mother does not need a baby, but a baby can bring her great happiness.

[GodlyDevotion]

17 hours ago, Abigail said:

Jehovah doesn't need us but he wants us. He loves to see our loyalty. It brings him great joy. He already has sufficient joy but we (little us) can give him even more joy. He also loves to see us joyful. We can be joyful knowing we bring Jehovah joy. We do count. It does matter to him what we do.

 

Illustration. A mother does not need a baby, but a baby can bring her great happiness.

I love this point. It reminds me of the article I read a couple of months ago. 
 

When wolves were exterminated from Yellowstone National Park in the early 20th century, deer and elk populations exploded. These herds overgrazed trees and shrubs, especially near rivers. The entire ecosystem tipped into imbalance. 
 

What if humans were removed from earth? What if we are removed? Would the earth sustain itself? 
 

From a purely ecological or physical standpoint: Yes — the Earth’s natural systems (water cycle, carbon cycle, ecosystems, etc.) can continue functioning without human intervention. 
 

But from Jehovah’s perspective, earth was designed for us. It wouldn’t be earth without humans. It is our home, stage, and inheritance. We complete the earth. We sustain the earth.
 

Imagine a violin that still exists, still vibrates in the air, still collects dust.

But no one plays it.

 

Is it “sustained”? Technically yes.

Is it fulfilling its reason for being? No.

 

Yes, Jehovah doesn’t need us. The earth doesn’t need us. But we are Jehovah’s creation and we bring and add meaning to his creation. We do this because we are image-bearers of him.
 

We were not made out of necessity. But astonishingly, we were made out of desire. That is a raw kind of love.

 

[Timl1980]

Thank you to everyone who has commented so far! When I originally posted this, it took me a few weeks to wrap my head around the idea that Jehovah doesn't need us, and all of your comments have helped me to gain a deeper appreciation of this topic!!

[dljbsp]

One thing that’s helped me over the years is this:

 

The fact that Jehovah doesn’t need us doesn’t make us less valuable—it actually shows how deep His love really is.

 

Think about it: if someone uses you because they need you, that’s one thing. But when someone with unlimited power and perfect joy says, “I want you with Me,” that hits differently. That’s not about usefulness—that’s about love.

 

Isaiah 43:4 says, “Because you became precious in my eyes, you were honored, and I have loved you.” That’s not a God who’s getting something from us. That’s a God who values us deeply—because He chooses to.

 

Same with Luke 12:32—Jesus said, “Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom.” Not needed—approved of. That shows it’s a gift of love, not obligation.

 

So no, we’re not essential to Jehovah’s purpose in the strictest sense. But that’s what makes it even more amazing. We’re not part of His family because He couldn’t do it without us—we’re here because He wants us.

 

And when I think of that… I don’t feel unnecessary at all. I feel safe. Wanted. And ready to keep painting with Him, even if my strokes are a little shaky sometimes.