LORD, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
Isaiah 26:12 (NIV)
Father God, my soul is overwhelmed this morning. As I read this verse, my spirit can hear You saying to me to take an inventory of all that I have accomplished in this life, the things that I take pride in, that which, in my mind and the world’s eye, defines me. I hear You telling me not to look at them against the backdrop of the world and its standards, not to compare myself with others. Instead, I sense You ushering me to do a personal inventory and ask myself what are those things that I believe have defined my success in my own eyes, away from the peering eyes of those around me, in the quiet of my space with You.
I must confess, there is a lot that I am proud of. From my relationships with family and friends, to my achievements at home, school or the job, my life has been full and complete. I have received recognition from those around me. I have acquired things that my ancestors could only dream about. I have seen my fingerprints on the lives of those near me. True, I may not be or have done all that I have aspired to do. And true, some of the things I have set out to do I have failed at. Yet, I can say with confidence that I have accomplished a great deal. And I can say with greater confidence that I could not have done any of it without YOU!
Father, I come before You with praise this morning for all You have done in me and through me. I am where I am because of Your love and grace towards me. I would not nor could not have done any of the things that I take pride in if it were not for You. What’s more, I do not have it within me, nor does anyone, to do the good we do. That is true of me and even those who do not know You. All the good that is in this world, the successes that are part of this world, is on account of You. As James declares, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
So, I want to thank You for what You have done in me and through me. Thank You for using me to make a difference, no matter how significant or insignificant in the lives of those around me. All that I have accomplished in this life is because of You. I just want to thank You.
As I set my eyes on doing more, I pray that You would help me to accomplish those things that will bring You glory, that will exalt the Name of Jesus, and that will save souls. Don’t allow me to be consumed by what this world declares to be an accomplishment. Instead, remind me to set my aspirations on kingdom matters, and challenge me to do a daily personal inventory on what I define as success, and please order my steps. I want to glorify You in all that I do, and communicate to the world that You are the Source of my success. Have Your way in Jesus’ Name. Amen.