1 Corinthians 15:10 “I am what I am by the grace of God”.
DAILY READING Luke 2:21-52; Ezekiel 38-39; Isaiah 61
Several movies have been made about the grim fate of the famous ship, the Titanic. The movie , titled ‘Titanic’, directed by James Cameron, scooped 11 Academy Awards in 1998 and is still the highest-grossing movie of all time.
However despite the glamour attached to it, the true story of the Titanic is a reflection of the consequence of pride. In 1912, the Titanic was the largest and most luxurious ship afloat. No expense had been spared in her construction. She boasted opulent state rooms, luxurious dining rooms, sumptuous smoking rooms with ornate ceilings and magnificent candelabra, and an elegant grand staircase. She had elevators, libraries, a swimming pool, a Turkish bath, a gymnasium, a squash court, even an eight-piece orchestra—everything to satiate the desires of 325 first-class passengers as well as all the rest. She was at the leading edge of technology, inspiring awe and wonder in those who saw her. And most amazing of all, her builders assured, she was absolutely unsinkable. Before its maiden voyage, the captain was quoted to have boasted ‘even God cannot sink this ship’. But he was wrong. On its maiden trip shortly before midnight on April 14, the ship collided with an iceberg, and at 2:20 am, on April 15, against all expectations the ship sank, killing about 1500 passengers.
Psalm 127 says, ‘except the Lord watches over the city the watchmen watcheth but in vain.’
It is only the fool who says in His heart there is no God. We must understand that our breakthrough does not lie in our strength, hard work, or mental smartness, our breakthrough lies in the grace of God, because it is His grace that makes the difference in any life. Pride is an anti-grace virus that cripples and strangulates grace upon a man’s life. It is a silent destroyer of grace. James 4:6 says: ‘God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble’.
Grace is our guaranteed flight into greatness, but only the meek can get on board. We must therefore learn to be humble and continually acknowledge the hand of God in our affairs. We must always proclaim Him the doer of every good thing in our lives. It is only because of The Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed. It is only by His grace we exist. When Nebuchadnezzar woke up one morning and declared that his hand has built his great kingdom, God sent him into the school of animals to learn humility. And after seven years, Nebuchadnezzar recovered and declared that there is indeed God.
It is dangerous for anyone to think God can be ignored in the success equation, because just like the Titanic with all the right technology, one could still ‘sink’ unexpectedly. Success is not only just about making all the right moves, it is about God backing you up.
In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul said “I am what I am by the grace of God”.
We are in the days of greatness. Therefore it is important for us to jealously guard the grace upon our lives. When the happenings around you is bigger than you, then grace is at work. When things occur around you that is unexplainable, then grace has taken over. When no one can describe your life’s turnaround, then grace has made it your turn. Indeed for every progress we see in our lives all the glory must go to God because without Him we can do nothing.
PRAYER: Lord, please grant me the grace to always acknowledge Your hand upon my life, enable me to become totally dependent on Your help in Jesus name.
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The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you. Wordbite 222