Bible Reading: Isaiah 10:1-34
“Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood” – Isaiah 10:15 (KJV).
No man ever prevailed by his own strength. God is the helper and the judge of all. He raises up one and puts down another. Our human efforts and struggles apart from God will never amount to anything worthy of note. Except the Lord helps us, we are all together helpless. There is no self made-man anywhere. The life we live, the strength and help and the opportunities we enjoy are all gifts from God. When man comes to grip with this fact, pride and boasting will disappear completely and no one will share the glory with God.
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” – Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV).
I agree that laziness and slothfulness are killers of destiny leading to failure, poverty and frustration, but still, human efforts apart from God cannot guarantee true success or fulfillment. Recognizing God as one’s source of livelihood and success is the beginning of wisdom and the end of boasting, pride and arrogance. This understanding and submission brings humility and gratitude. Let this be clear, without God, man can achieve nothing of eternal value. Our sufficiency is of him. Everything we have come from God.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to always recognize and acknowledge you as my source.
Rev. Vincent Diolu