Scripture: Ezekiel 28:4-7
4By your wisdom and understanding
you have gained wealth for yourself
and amassed gold and silver
in your treasuries.
5By your great skill in trading
you have increased your wealth,
and because of your wealth
your heart has grown proud.
6“‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“Because you think you are wise,
as wise as a god,
7I am going to bring foreigners against you,
the most ruthless of nations;…
Observation: This was directed to the King of Tyre. The Lord was telling Ezekiel to share this with him as a warning as to the destruction that would come as a result of the King’s pride in himself.
Application: I think it is really easy to get caught up in our own successes. For many years I thought all of my successes were due to my ambition and hard work. Yes, that likely played a big a part. But the biggest factor was God’s guidance: He allowed me to have those successes for reasons only He understands. His guiding hand has been on me from before day one. By not acknowledging that I am sinning. No, I never really thought I was as wise as a god. But, if I believe I am completely in charge of my life, then I really am thinking that without putting a name to it.
He is in charge. He is in charge of my successes and failures… and only he knows why things happen as they do. Should I just sit still and do nothing then? No! It is still my job to use those skills he has given me in ways to honor him. Then my successes will be much better than mere worldly ones.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for this reminder that YOU are sovereign and I am most definitely not. Thank you for the many successes you have allowed me. Please use me to achieve eternal victories for you… those are much more important than the worldly ones.
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