“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD” - Proverbs 21:31 (NIV)
A very good question to ask in the life of every believer is who has the last word in your life? Once, the Israelites were surrounded by overwhelming enemies pushing them to the edge. So, Gideon, drew up a battle plan with a 22,000 strong mighty force. However, when Gideon turned to God, “The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, 'My own strength has saved me” (Judges 7:2). Gideon was asked to “proclaim in the hearing of the people: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead” (vv 3). So, “twenty-two thousands of them turned back, but ten thousand remained” (vv 4).
Still, the Lord asked Gideon to reduce the number by taking all remaining fighters down to a well. “So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.” And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink” (vv 5-6). Finally, the “LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home” (vv 7). And indeed the Lord brought victory with just three hundred men against a might army of thousands of Midianites.
After his victory, the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian. But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you” (Judges 8:22-23). See, who takes the glory!
There are situations that come in our life where the Lord must have the final word. We can prepare for the battle and do all that is in our powers, only for the Lord to ask us to push all those plans aside and look up to Him.
Recently a friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The doctors gave him only three months to live! He turned to God. It’s now over three years and guess who has the final word!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, whatever the plans I may have or what man can say, what a blessing it is to know that the final word ever belongs to you.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
