But for God...

But for God…

“And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and He sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.” (Judg. 2:14 KJV)

We often take the covering of God and the God-factor in our lives for granted. We fail to realize that we are who we are because God has been involved all along. The Apostle understood this clearly when he said, “I am what I am by the grace of God.”

Israel had turned their backs on God, and on the outside everything seemed normal. Life was going on as usual. But the Bible says the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and the verse concludes with a frightening statement: “they could not any longer stand before their enemies.”

This shows us the God-factor. There are things you survived that others did not survive, and you thought it was your skill, strength, or intelligence. There are things you achieved that others are still struggling with, and you attributed it to your experience and hard work. There are things you understand that others cannot grasp, and you say it is because you paid more attention or studied harder. But truly, it was God all along.

Israel recorded successive victories until God withdrew His covering, and suddenly they could no longer stand before their enemies. The difference was not their weapons, their strategy, or their strength — the difference was God.

God is involved; that is why you are who you are, have achieved what you have achieved, and have become who you have become. But for God, you would be like every other man. Never take the grace, mercy, and covering of God for granted. Oil your relationship with God. Stay close to Him.

Reflection
Take a moment to think about your life — the battles you won, the doors that opened, the dangers you escaped, the opportunities you received, the knowledge you gained, the help that came at the right time. How many of those things were truly your doing alone? When we honestly reflect, we will realize that God has been more involved in our lives than we ever acknowledged. Gratitude and humility should therefore be our daily attitude before God.

Prayer
Lord, I thank You because I am who I am by Your grace. Forgive me for the times I have taken Your help, Your protection, and Your blessings for granted. Help me never to forget that You are the reason for every victory in my life. Teach me to depend on You, walk with You, and honor You in all I do. May Your presence never depart from me, and may my life always reflect Your grace in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a fruitful day,
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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