What Does The Bible Say?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Message No. 0609 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

For as long as I have lived, I have heard people say very negative things about themselves. Some would call themselves stupid, fool, idiot, and other words that will make them angry if someone else had referred to them with those words. Some others will curse themselves with words like, I can’t make it, I am doomed, this is the end, it is finished, and other such statements. The problem is that many people don’t know that the words they speak have meanings, and the meanings are sometimes invoked when those words are pronounced.

The big question today is, why do people call themselves what God has not called them, and why do people pronounce judgments on themselves that the Lord has not pronounced? Why do people submit themselves unto failure when Jehovah planned success for them? Why do people choose bad over good and riot over peace?

In 1 Samuel chapter 4, the Philistines warred against Israel, and in the first stage of the current battle, they had killed thousands of Israeli soldiers. Then, without checking why they were being defeated, Israel sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battle scene, thinking that the mere presence of the Ark would deliver them. Amazingly, the Philistines feared and pronounced woe upon themselves at first, but then turned around and encouraged themselves to fight. In the end, in spite of the presence of the Ark, Israel was slaughtered, and the two sons of Eli were killed in the process.

In Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12, the Bible says:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

With such power accompanying the Word of God, isn’t it vital to find out what it says about your situation? Why are you quick to hit yourself (some people hit their heads on the wall when they are disappointed in themselves). Why are you quick to curse yourself? Why are you quick to kill yourself (some take their lives when they face situations that they cannot address). Why are you quick to surrender? If the Philistines had surrendered at the sight of the Ark, they would never have defeated Israel in that battle, and Israel would have gone back home in false belief that the presence of the Ark alone was sufficient to defeat the enemy even while they were clearly enemies of God at that moment.

In Joel 3:10, the Bible says let the weak say I am strong. And in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God says My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. So, even when you believe that you have no chance at success, you should encourage yourself and work as hard as you possibly can, and leave the rest to God. Always remember that the race is not for the swift and the battle is not for the strong, and food does not come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned (Ecclesiastes 9:11). The finger of God in a matter changes the trajectory of that matter. A song writer says if I’m not dead you’re not done. In a competition, even though spectators have cast their own lots and determined the winner, the truth us that the winner is never declared until the competition is over. It is never over until it’s over.

So, what should your attitude be when you face seemingly insurmountable challenges? Declare the favor of God upon yourself. Declare the wisdom of God upon yourself. Declare the strength of God upon yourself. Declare good things on yourself. Even when someone else has been declared winner in a competition, we have seen the winner disqualified and the next person declared winner. God is able to recover what we think is lost. Keep a positive attitude, read your Bible, apply what you read and leave the rest to God. It is well with you now and in the future, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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 PLEASE ACT NOW:
 If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!