TLIC FAMILY. PROVERBS. AUGUST 31: VICTORY.

TLICfamily

Aug 31

THINK TOGETHER.

Have you ever won an award or received a trophy? What for?

READ TOGETHER

Proverbs 21:31. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Back then if you were an army with horses fighting an army without horses, well that would be like trying to fight tanks and airplanes with horses today. Most of Israel's enemies had horses and even chariots. Israel didn't, at least not for a long time. In fact, God told the kings of Israel not to have horses because he wanted them to trust in God instead of in their horses.

When we read the Old Testament stories about the battles the Israelites fought, here's what we learn – they never won or lost a battle because of their horses, or weapons, or strategies. They won and lost because of God. When they trusted God they defeated far superior armies. When they didn't trust God they lost to weaker armies.

Here's the lesson: trust God and give him all the credit for every victory, every good thing in your life. The proverb doesn't say DON'T prepare your horse. Go ahead and prepare. Get ready. Study. Practice. Have a plan. But when you succeed always remember that it was because of God. Every victory belongs to him. Every reward. Every trophy. Everything good is from him.

This is especially true with our salvation isn't it. Victory over sin and guilt is not anything any of us could ever accomplish. If you are going to Heaven, it is only because of the victory of Jesus over sin. If you are becoming more like Jesus, it is only because of the victory of Jesus over selfishness. Now that Jesus lives in our hearts that victory is ours to share. We can live in his victory every day, not because we are so great, but because he is greater than everything.

Because of Jesus his victory is ours to share.

With Jesus we can give him all the credit.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Look at some of your trophies, certificates, and awards together. Maybe put the name of Jesus on them over your names to help illustrate that every victory is his. Every success is because of his love, his greatness, not our own.

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, your victory is now mine. Help me to give you all the credit, especially for my salvation. Amen.