We are as precious as dust alone. We are unable to do anything that is not done in vain by ourselves. There is a total dependence on God that is necessary even when we are at the pinnacle of our works or “spirituality,” and this is the purpose of much of the Bible. Because we as humans have a tendency to try to do everything ourselves. We become so proud of our ways and think that we can survive by leading this life alone, by our own means and by our own strength.