1 Chronicles 14:9-11, “Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: ‘Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hands?’ The Lord answered him, ‘Go, I will deliver them into your hands.’ So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, ‘As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.’”
The evidence of the genuineness of David’s relationship with God was shown in his attitude before battle and after victory. Before the battle, David sought God’s face. After the victory, David glorified His name. The intensity of the battle and the immensity of the victory did not take his focus from or his dependence on God.
Many would attribute such success to their natural leadership skills, experience in warfare or other vain qualities. David chose not to attribute the victory to his strength or his skills. In a world where the ‘highlight reel’ edits achievement, appearance or affluence to gain the shallow admiration of its naïve consumers – do what the best do – don’t conform by taking the credit that belongs to your Creator. If you recognise that every good and perfect gift comes from God, you will humbly abide by the words spoken by John the Baptist in John 3:30, “He (Jesus Christ) must become greater; I must become less”.
Don’t get carried away by your gift to a place your character cannot carry you. If you only rise by gift, you will surely fall by character. Your gift can lead to greatness of man. But it takes character to have greatness of God. Your gift can entertain men. It takes character to entertain angels.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You are my all and without You I would fall. Help me to remember to always give You the position you deserve, as the central Character in the story of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.