Have you ever noticed when something good happens, people are always willing to take the credit? People are quick to cast blame when things don’t go well, but it feels good to hear words of praise when things go well. To accept the praise without giving glory to God can be very dangerous.
Joshua was aware of this danger and he wanted to make sure the Israelites knew how and why they had acquired the Promised Land. In Joshua 24, he assembled the Israelites to speak with them just before his death. He recapped their journey to the Promised Land beginning with Abraham. He told of their exodus from Egypt and their various battles for their land. In verse 12, he said “You did not do it with your own sword and bow.” He wanted the Israelites to be clear on Who gave them the land they possessed. He didn’t want them to take credit for it. Earlier in Joshua 7:9 he told them “Give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give Him the praise.” He understood the importance of glorifying God for what He had done.
We can all learn from Joshua’s message. When something good happens in our lives, even those things that appear to have been the result of our own actions, we need to give glory to God. Failure to do otherwise will open a door for pride to creep in and take up residence in our heart. Pride was the springboard for the fall of our world. It was Satan’s pride and his desire to become equal to God that caused him to be hurled from heaven [Ezekiel 28:17]. Pride is sinful and we need to have no part of it. When we succumb to pride, we are playing into the hands of Satan. Proverbs 16:18 clearly states “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
One simple way to protect ourselves from pride is to say “Thank you, Jesus” when something good happens before we utter anything else. Giving Him the glory for what has been done takes us out of the equation and acknowledges the One who works through us.
1 Peter 4:11 puts it this way “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Begin to glorify Him now. He has already been busy at work in your life. You woke up this morning. “Thank you, Jesus.” You have food to eat. “Thank you, Jesus.” Practicing a posture of praise is like coating ourselves with oil; it makes it difficult for the enemy to get a hold on us. Shall we begin…?