The Key to Ultimate Achievement

A devotional thought

Is it the “survival of the fittest”? Or was Solomon right: “…time and chance happens to all”? He prefaced this statement with: “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong.” Ecclesiastes 9:11  There is an element of truth in both, but not much consolation in either. These are flawed deductions. Natural endowments and “good luck” leave out too many of us.

We all find ourselves in the so-called “rat race” of society. Who doesn’t feel woefully inadequate, so often, in the face of a challenge? Yet, this sense of inadequacy is usually the very key to ultimate achievement. “…he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:12  And keep in mind that the plaudits of men do not determine the ultimate success and glory.

In order to move forward with a sense of confidence, we must look for it outside ourselves. We gain it in a measure by union with others. But in the larger sense, our hope is in God. Trust and reliance are the vital watch-words; believing in and depending upon. This does apply to interpersonal relationships, but more so, it applies to our relationship with God. We are forced to place trust in others. Suspicion precludes success. And how can we hope to win with God, if we are not convinced of His trustworthiness? If we are not to succumb to distress or panic, we must draw on His power and grace.

In our perspective, do we think in terms of our serving God? Or is He serving us? If we go into the day with the attitude: “It all depends on me,” the dawning will greet us with apprehension, and nightfall with regret. We are not “swift” enough nor “strong” enough in ourselves. But by capitalizing those two words in Solomon’s deduction, we can invert the outcome: “The race is to the Swift and the battle is to the Strong!” God is willing to assume responsibility for both the race and the battle. And “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 

God is equal to every challenge! All of this can be ours by receiving by faith the Lord Jesus Christ, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6

fpn/undated

Picture: Quote Fancy