Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 21:30-31
“No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (vv. 30-31 NLT)
Proverbs 21:30-31 is not condemning proper preparation for a battle rather, it is condemning the reliance upon the weapons and the preparations for victory, instead of relying on the LORD God Almighty for His blessings. “There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.” (Ezr. 8:21; Ps. 20:7, Isa. 31:1-3l; Hos. 1:7). This is Ezra talking when they were preparing to return to Jerusalem from exile. The road was dangerous in that it was frequented by thieves who robbed to survive. Travellers on this road travel in caravans to ensure safety on the way.
In short, human wisdom, understanding or plan cannot in any way compare with God’s blessings. So also, is military preparation and power for war, which represent the horse in this passage, is nothing without the blessings of God for success. All our preparations for any task whatsoever, is fruitless outside God (Ps. 127). Even with God’s help, approval and blessings, we still have to do our part to prepare properly in readiness for His blessings. This is because God’s control of the result does not negate our responsibilities. For example, in the case of a person that has been given a foreign assignment, God may want to use him/her for a task. To succeed in that land, he/she has to learn to speak the language of the people of the land and carry out other preparations.
God may want to bless a great writer and publisher, to write a great book and publish it. He/she has to learn the rudiment of publishing and make use of references to write the book. God will accomplish his purposes for our lives if we on our part are able to prepare our part well. Again, a student that wants to sit for an external exams has to read well for the exam while, at the same time, asking for God’s blessing and favour in the outcome of the exam. To succeed in life, all our wisdom, insight, counsel and plan must be in conformity with the will of God Almighty. The holy Bible is our guide and in it we have role models of which the greatest is our Lord Jesus Christ.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father Lord, I declare that no human wisdom, understanding or counsel can succeed against You. Deliverance and victory belong to You alone.
Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah through all my journey here on earth, in Jesus name.
Lord create in me a pure heart, renew a right, obedient, teachable and humble spirit within me, in Jesus name.
Father in the confusion, chaos and darkness of the world, guide the paths of our children, teenagers, youths, young adults by the light of your countenance, into Your way of righteousness, in Jesus name.
Keep our children safe from deception of the enemy, in Jesus name.
Grant unto our children the spirit to love You and Your ways, in Jesus name.
Father, by Your mercy wherever the body of Christ have missed it, redirect our path into your path of righteousness, in Jesus name.
Lord, in your mercy give listening ears, obedient spirit and understanding of Your word to perishing souls, in Jesus name
Lord with Your shoes of fire, and mighty power walk through the length and breadth of our nation, uproot what you have not planted, heal us where we need healing, deliver us where we need deliverance, transform our lives and heal our land, in Jesus name.
Lord give us god-fearing, and selfless leaders with hearts of a shepherd, in Jesus name. Amen.
Comentarios