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

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Unpleasant Memories

As I think of yester-years—
precious memories—oh, yes!
Yet I feel chills and tingling spine
all too often, I confess.

“How could I have been so daft?”
“How must I have come across?”
Little consolation that
others too, amass such dross.

Talk of sawing off a limb,
and then plummeting to earth!
Pride and wit and pedigree
must have missed me at my birth.

Though it’s awkward to be poor,
that does not bother so;
but attempts to compensate,
or pretend—that laid me low.

“Be content,” the scriptures say,
with your lot and where you stand.
When you’re humble, you will find
many friends to lend a hand.

There are some who seem so calm
and relaxed, yes—proper too,
who have “hang-ups” and regrets
much the same as me and you.

Life is like a mile-long train—
many boxcars, rattling on;
let’s all pull together, friend,
as we rumble toward the Son.

fpn/86



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Spiritual Riches

Our Lord became poor, that we might be rich!
Now that isn’t hard to accept;
but turn it around in denial of self,
to such thinking, we’re not so adept.

The man who can speak of once being poor,
but now has material wealth,
is usually admired and at times rightly so,
if spiritually he’s still in good health.

Our Lord talked of money again and again;
He didn’t mince words as He spoke:
“How hardly shall enter the kingdom of heaven
the rich of this world” –that’s no joke!

“Not wrong to be rich,” I can hear someone say,
“It’s just how you think in your mind.”
But more often than not, the rich of this world
to their own true condition are blind.

And some take the view that what they have gained
is a sign of their godliness too,
while they look down their nose at those who are poor,
who to Christ may be loyal and true.

Respecter of persons, this God whom we serve?
We know He is not, yet we still
may show preference, even malice, as people of God
to the point, as James says, where we’ll kill. 

And it’s true of God’s servants, oft times has been so,
in this world, how vainly we dwell.
We strive to be rich in money and fame,
we gloat when we seem to excel.

“Blessed are those poor in spirit,” we read.
Pray tell me, just what does this mean?
“The last shall be first and the first shall be last.”
Are there some who don’t want to be seen?

Oh, who then have turned from position and wealth,
not trumpeting what they have given,
while seeking no praise, nor pity of man,
in their efforts to win souls for heaven!

They too become poor, their culture deny
as they fill some far off lonely niche.
The world calls them odd, God’s own may ignore,
but the Judge of the earth says they’re rich.

fpn/undated

Published as poem #48 in Contemporary Psalms

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Hero Worship

We all have had our heroes—
those souls whom we adored
to a point, perhaps of worship,
beyond that of our Lord.

Such reverence for a mortal
is sad and should not be;
but we’re inclined to worship
some man or thing we see.

And we accept man’s worship,
if so, we’ll need to prove
that we have saving power
in his behalf to move.

Of course, his estimation
with time usually breaks down
and then, humiliated,
our true worth will be known.

It’s fitting that we honor
and that with due respect
all those with gifts or talents
whom praise will not distract.

But God alone is worth
of worship—man is not.
Our ego moves with blindness
—proves us a foolish lot.

And since our hearts are sinful
with life so short a while,
let God be God, while we keep
as men, a low profile!

fpn/December 1982



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Faith Which Works by Love

Let theologians wrangle
and lay the scriptures bare;
revealing by their logic
that they can split a hair.
But I’ve one deep desire:
to please my Lord above
and demonstrate by practice
a faith which works by love.

Yes, I’m aware, my brother,
that ignorance is not bliss;
but “knowledge puffeth up” and thus
much truth we’re bound to miss.
And I am sadly burdened
in what I read and see,
how God’s own flock is scattered
by men of high degree.

I’m not against the scholars
who dig into God’s word,
but let them be reminded
how God is truly heard.
He never shares a secret
with those He cannot trust;
however intellectual,
humility’s a must!

So, when a man is learned
and owns revered degrees,
God often lets him stumble
for failure of his knees
to bow in deep abandon
and ask for truth concealed;
for God is not discovered,
He only is revealed.

New books are being written
for grown-ups and for youth;
though ever so persuasive,
some do pervert the truth.
Just like a little poison,
in the most wholesome food,
results in fatal damage;
corrupting what is good.

Now here’s a word of comfort
Christ gave to you and me:
It’s “Ye shall know the truth
and the truth shall make you free.”
He clearly thanked the Father
for all those rich in faith,
though poor in means and spirit,
accepting what God says!

Shall men of cloth and standing
force God into a mold?
Can laboratory testing
the mind of God unfold?
Christ said that He would send us
His Spirit from above.
If we’ll submit, He’ll teach us
the faith which works by love!

fpn/undated
Published as poem #18 in Contemporary Psalms


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Unsung Heroes

 ‘Tis fitting that we honor those
who fought on land and seas,
but are we overlooking some
who fought upon their knees?

For those who fall on battlefields
far from their families,
our gratitude should be expressed
sincerely on our knees.

But never underestimate
the sacrifice of these
engaging in fierce warfare
and combat on their knees.

Not every person knows first hand
the mighty power that frees
the souls of men, and nations too,
is wrought upon our knees.

Yes, many have engaged in both
by muscle and through pleas,
and won a battle, almost lost,
by conquest on their knees.

The cause behind the triumph oft
no mortal fully sees.
‘Tis God who turns the tide when we
get humbly on our knees.

fpn / undated



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