WHO GETS THE CREDIT?
- Key Verse
- "O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!" (Psalm 21:1)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God is responsible for all the good things that happen to us, and it is our job to rejoice in that truth.
Reflections
To whom do I give credit and praise when I succeed? Wow, I'd like to give the Sunday school answer and say I give thanks to God from whom all blessings flow, but I'd be lying. Why is it so easy to turn to God when things are going poorly or when we know we can't do something "on our own"? I'm quick to fall to my knees when I think the enemy is going to crush me. Not so much when things are going well. When we experience a victory in life, why can't we be like a mirror and reflect the glory of the accomplishment back to God—the way David does in this psalm?
My reflectional skills are all too often more like a black hole than a mirror. A black hole is an object that is so dense and self-focused that its gravitational pull doesn't even allow light to escape its grasp. I couldn't think of a better analogy to capture the picture of what I must look like to God when I get all prideful about a promotion, an award, or a positive outcome to a project at work, home, or worse - AT CHURCH!
That is why these words from David, the king, were so powerful for me. David made a mess many times in his life, but his heart was always after God, and he never lost sight of who was really in charge. David rarely failed to give God the praise for any of the victories in his life. He was always ready to give God the credit and simply be a mirror that reflected all the glory back to God. This psalm makes it clear that, even in his position as king, David knew that none of the positive outcomes that he had asked for and received were created by his own hand. He believed with every fiber of his being that God was fully in charge and was personally responsible for each and every outcome. God, I pray it may be so with me today.
Discussion Questions
1. To whom do you give credit when you have a positive outcome?2. Are you more likely to be a mirror or a black hole when times are good?
3. Look for an opportunity today to thank God for His goodness.
John Rondeau
January 29, 2010 05:23 AM
David, how true it is for many of us that we cry out to God very easily in the bad times. In the good times we tend to forget He is there. We don't react as intensely in our rejoicing as we do when we cry out in the difficult times.
Linda
January 29, 2010 05:46 AM
David, your devotion reminded me of something someone once told me, "God is not just in control. He is in Charge!" How Powerful! I'm praying for you and all the Elders this morning.
Chip Smith
January 29, 2010 06:31 AM
Good morning David: Thank you for your transparency. I use the "black hole" comparison often, especially for people who just suck the energy and joy right out of you just by walking into a room. In contrast, there are those whose hearts and minds are stayed on the LORD. When they walk into the room, peace and joy come with them. I exclaim to myself, "They are just like a ray of 'sunshine.'" Your log caused me to examine my relationship with God. Am I a "black hole" or "sunshine?" I don't want to be a "black hole" to God, I want to be "sunshine" fulfilling Psalm 21:13b, "...with music and singing (I) celebrate (God's) mighty acts." NLT. This was a very helpful log this morning.
David Skeen
January 29, 2010 08:35 AM
Better to be a saved peasant than an unsaved king.
Bob A. King
January 29, 2010 08:46 AM
What an inspirational way to start the day, David. I appreciate your candor and insight. It is truly amazing what can be accomplished for the Lord when all the credit is reflected back to HIM!! Thank you .... let's go scuba diving.
Alecia baptiste
January 29, 2010 09:54 AM
David, thankyou for the black hole metaphor. It was divine providence that I would read your devotional today. I haven't read the join the journey devotionals in a while. Thankyou for being God's messenger to me this morning. "Lord, I think I'm getting it. I don't want to be a black hole."
Cindy Hawks
January 29, 2010 11:33 AM
"A black hole is an object that is so dense and self-focused that its gravitational pull doesn't even allow light to escape its grasp." Okay, ouch. :-)
Michael Whorton
January 29, 2010 02:59 PM
Thanks buddy for your transparency!! All we have are these 2 fish and 5 loaves, and I give them to Him to be used for His Glory. Somehow He uses us despite our failings and sin nature. Keep up the good fight my eternal friend!