Photo-A-Day: Looking Down

When I look down I see my feet. I wish I were at the top of a mountain or a sky-scraper where the views stretch out for kilometres in every direction. Or even better, up in an aeroplane, above the clouds. I love that kind of high-up perspective. The world seems much smaller from up there.

A similar thing happens in the spirit realm when we worship our Creator. The more we praise, the more we soar in Him, the smaller and more insignificant all our problems become. As He becomes bigger in our sight, all else seems to drop away. The impossible becomes possible.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” [Isaiah 40:31 NIV]

Yet, even when I cannot see the world from a great height, but only manage to chance a glimpse of my feet when I look down, I am still reminded of one of the Lord’s promises — that Satan will be crushed under my feet (see Romans 16:20).

What a great promise to have. What do you see when you look down?

Published in: on 25th April, 2012 at 5:55 pm  Comments (3)  
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Who gets the glory?

At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still.” [Psalm 75:6 NIV]

I have been reading through the Psalms lately. So often I find Psalms of praise to God for victories in war. Now, I’m sure, in most cases, the Israelites took their army out to the battle field and fought hard. There were a few miraculous times, where God actually went before them and smote the enemy before the Israelites even arrived, but mostly they fought their battles the hard way.

However, what astounds me, is that even though they worked hard for their victory, risking life and limb, they attribute the victory to God. All of it. They don’t say ‘God put strength in our arms,’ or ‘God aided us in our success’. No. They simply say ‘He broke the flashing arrows, the shields and swords, the weapons of war.’ [vs 3] The victory is directly attributed to the Lord.

That leaves me wondering. In my successes and victories in life, do I attribute it all to God? Or do I want to take some of the glory for myself? I know it is easy to blame God when things aren’t working right, but when they are, we tend to hold back the recognition of His work in our lives. In pride, we can think ‘well, I did all the work.’ I pray for the humility of the Israelites. It is all because of God’s grace and love that I have success. Without Him, I can do nothing. [John 15:5]

How about you? Do you give God the glory for your successes?

Published in: on 14th December, 2011 at 4:56 am  Leave a Comment  
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