For over forty years now I have listened to altogether too many men and women take credit for things that they really had no power or ability to control. It is not surprising however, as we realize that we are in the age of “man”. Whether it is business, politics, or the church, claims of personal achievement abound.
When you examine the Scriptures you will find that God’s emphasis for man and His expectation of man is not achievement but rather faithfulness in the areas of justice, judgment and truth. Examine the lessons on stewardship that Christ taught and you will find that this is the clear lesson we are to learn. However, in our world today the measure of a man is his achievement with little or no regard to his integrity. Notice with me God’s message to Cyrus the king of Persia:
Isaiah 45:1-4
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
You will notice through even a quick examination that the achievements of Cyrus were things that God ordained to do and then later accomplished. It wasn’t the skill and ambition of Cyrus, but rather a fulfillment of the plan of God. And then notice why God did it! He did it for the sake of Israel.
As I listen to these arrogant, egotistical, pompous candidates for our nations presidency who accuse each other of not having the capabilities to be president, I think of Baalam’s ass and understand the God is the One who is capable.
Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
