Lessons in Humility: Victory in God Alone

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

I should have expected it.

Earlier this week, I shared with several dear friends (both on the phone and in emails) what God has been teaching me recently. My doing so was honestly not to boast, but truly in hopes of encouraging my friends as they saw God's grace at work in my life. I felt like I really had a good handle on the lessons of this season of life--I wasn't quite so foolish as to think I had them completely down, but I was foolish enough to think I understood what God was up to and that I was solidly in the path of obedience, understanding His ways.

Since hindsight is 20/20, I can see clearly now how that attitude, subtle as it might have been, was an open invitation for the discouragement and defeat I've felt for the past two days. May I never assume that I've got things all figured out and am solidly in the path of obedience, fully understanding God's ways--lest He deem it necessary to humble me, to remind me that I am most vulnerable when I think I'm standing firm, that He is too great for my finite mind to ever comprehend. All I can do is pray that He will continue to burn the pride out of me--and that He'll be patient with me through the process.

"We have heard with our ears, O God...what you did...in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations...and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them" (Psalm 44:1-3).

I have not only heard with my ears and read with my eyes, I have experienced in my own life the wonders God has done--both long ago and in the not-so-distant past. Let me never forget that any victory I have won has not been by my own hand--it has been by God's hand, His arm and the light of His face, because of His love for me.

"You are my King and my God,who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies; you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever" (Psalm 44:4-8).

I don't trust my knowledge or reasoning or understanding; I don't trust my heart or my will. I have no confidence in the flesh, in my own ability to defeat the enemy of my soul. You alone give me the victory, Lord--it is by Your grace alone that my adversary is put to shame. By Your grace, teach me to boast in You alone and put your praises on my lips forever.