I got this devotion from reading Isaiah 10: 12-15. When I first read this scripture, I thought to myself, "Isn't it just like us to act like the king of Assyria?" We boast or brag about what we can do or have done. Often times, we do this and don't realize that it is by the grace of God that we accomplish things. What we have to realize is that God uses us for His purpose and His glory. In Isaiah 10: 12, the prophet Isaiah says, "After the Lord has used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purposes in Jerusalem, he will turn against the king of Assyria and punish him-for he is proud and arrogant."
What happens when we are proud or arrogant in what we believe we accomplished on our own is a disconnect in our relationship with God. You might ask, "how is that?" By claiming that by your own strength, or your own power or your own wisdom that you accomplished some great thing, you are essentially saying that you did not or don't need God. This is a fatal and foolish mistake because the more you remain boastful and take pride in yourself only, the more you drift away from God's blessings. Look at what it says in Deuteronomy 8 where it talks about remembering God. Verses 16-18 is where it really talks about humbling yourself and realizing "that it is the Lord your God who gives you power to become rich..." (v. 18).
Going back to Isaiah 10, look how the king of Assyria boasts in verse 13-14. Then go to verse 15 where pivotal questions are asked. It says, "Can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it? Is the saw greater than the person who saws? Can a whip strike unless a hand is moving it? Can a cane walk by itself?" These questions bring absolute answers with them. None of those things are possible without someone directing it or using it for its intended purpose. The same thing goes for us. To be used correctly for our intended purpose, we cannot honestly say that it is by our own strength that we receive or accomplish great things. God deserves all the credit, all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise because after all, He is the creator of all things and where would we be if the Creator did not create things for us to accomplish?
Now God will humble those who are proud and arrogant as it says in Luke 18: 14, "....For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." So why not go ahead and humble yourself before God does it? Why not be exalted or honored for being humble instead of being forcefully humbled for being proud? I encourage you to check yourself and take a minute to thank God for the things that you have accomplished or have.
I hope this post was a blessing to you or someone you know. God bless.
Showing posts with label Isaiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isaiah. Show all posts
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
You WILL.....
I'm just going to jump into things on this one.
A lot of people had to deal with some crazy situations or people this past year. Just know that the enemies or stumbling blocks of God's children will never prosper or win. We were born victorious over all the haters, nay-sayers, liers, cheaters, road blocks/hazards, dead beats, and whoever or whatever else is against God's children. Praise God in advance for this situation being handled according to what He can do. Continue to do what God has empowered and ordained you to do. When things come against you and try to stop you from doing what God wants you to do, how do you react? Who are you listening to? God or man? In Acts 4: 19 it says, "But Peter and John replied, 'Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?' "
When people come against you saying that you should just give up or try something else, know that if God has ordered you to do it, then he will provide you everything you need to accomplish it. Don't worry about what everybody else says about you. The same thing goes for situations or tasks that may seem too difficult to tackle. I'm not saying that it's going to be easy but God will give you the strength to complete the task He has given you. It says in Isaiah 40: 29, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." And in verse 31 it says, "But those who trust in the LORD WILL find new strength. They WILL soar high on wings like eagles. They WILL run and not grow weary. They WILL walk and not faint." Notice that it says WILL and not might. When you think that you can't go on, start praising God in advance for Him stepping in and renewing your spiritual energy. Watch how your praise will continue to grow as God re-ups your strength. Then watch how God will honor your praise and bless you in ways you may not even expect.
We have to stay focused on waiting on and trusting in the Lord. This includes praising Him, talking (praying) to Him, and reading His word. So I just want to encourage anyboby reading this to shift your focus from the negative and start praising God now for the positive things that He has done, is doing, and is going to do. Just know that by this, you WILL be blessed. God bless.
A lot of people had to deal with some crazy situations or people this past year. Just know that the enemies or stumbling blocks of God's children will never prosper or win. We were born victorious over all the haters, nay-sayers, liers, cheaters, road blocks/hazards, dead beats, and whoever or whatever else is against God's children. Praise God in advance for this situation being handled according to what He can do. Continue to do what God has empowered and ordained you to do. When things come against you and try to stop you from doing what God wants you to do, how do you react? Who are you listening to? God or man? In Acts 4: 19 it says, "But Peter and John replied, 'Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?' "
When people come against you saying that you should just give up or try something else, know that if God has ordered you to do it, then he will provide you everything you need to accomplish it. Don't worry about what everybody else says about you. The same thing goes for situations or tasks that may seem too difficult to tackle. I'm not saying that it's going to be easy but God will give you the strength to complete the task He has given you. It says in Isaiah 40: 29, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." And in verse 31 it says, "But those who trust in the LORD WILL find new strength. They WILL soar high on wings like eagles. They WILL run and not grow weary. They WILL walk and not faint." Notice that it says WILL and not might. When you think that you can't go on, start praising God in advance for Him stepping in and renewing your spiritual energy. Watch how your praise will continue to grow as God re-ups your strength. Then watch how God will honor your praise and bless you in ways you may not even expect.
We have to stay focused on waiting on and trusting in the Lord. This includes praising Him, talking (praying) to Him, and reading His word. So I just want to encourage anyboby reading this to shift your focus from the negative and start praising God now for the positive things that He has done, is doing, and is going to do. Just know that by this, you WILL be blessed. God bless.
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