Wisdom and Power Belong to Him

 


I am not saying this to make myself sound good (as a matter of fact, my intention is quite the opposite), but I have been called smart my whole life. I feel pride when I hear someone refer to me as smart, especially when I hear someone tell another person how smart they think I am. However, the book of Proverbs reminds me that pride goes before a fall.

I have also been told many times in my life that I am "too smart for my own good" or that I overcomplicate things. I have also been reminded on many occasions that I can be stubborn and think I know everything. From a personal standpoint, my pride in my intelligence often leads me to thinking that I can solve all my problems on my own. And that is where my downfall happens.

Daniel was noted for being a wise young man, and he was rewarded for being able to figure out the king's dream. To me, the most important part of this story is that Daniel was humble in his ability to interpret the dream. He placed all the credit where it belongs:
"May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him."
Daniel didn't take the credit. He gave glory to our Father who gives wisdom to anyone who asks.

Too often in my life, I have committed the sin of taking credit and being prideful in what I have accomplished when I know that it all comes from God. Everything I have belongs to God, and I know that what I have is really only mine to borrow for a short while, even the very air that I breathe.

Truth be told, there is no intelligence in me that does not come from God. I am starting to understand that concept more and more as I get older. When I do things my way, it never turns out as good as it does when I make a point of following God's direction. As ridiculous as it sounds, I have to remind myself sometimes that I am not smarter than God.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my pride and my lack of wisdom, and thank you for providing your wisdom freely when I ask. Help me never forget that Your ways are always better than my ways, and help me to always seek to follow Your way first. In the wise name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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