Proverbs 16:18(NIV) says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” A haughty spirit is what we refer to in common terms as arrogance. A person who thinks more of himself or herself indulges this spirit and is corrupted by it. Arrogance belongs to the devil and that’s where it began. Evil, treacherous, and manipulative beyond what any of us can imagine, satan thought himself to be above the Most Holy, Almighty and One True God, and he tried unsuccessfully to overthrow God’s Kingdom. So, arrogance is indeed bad business, because this haughty spirit separates us from humility, and humility is required to get into the Kingdom of God.
In our world today, it is not hard to imagine that the arrogance of people is at an all-time high. We think that we alone have changed the course of history, that everything is on our timetable, and that our plans are the most important. The truth is that God is the One with the plan, and His plan always works out according to the timetable He has set. When we align our actions and choices with God’s plan, we can always expect the very best outcome.
The history books are filled with people that historians tell us have changed the course of humanity. The world has its movers and shakers, and it holds up these individuals as the epitome of intellect, wealth, and power. 1Corinthians 1:27(NLT) tells us, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” In His Word, Heavenly Father allows us the privilege to witness humble people who didn’t have any great skills or talent, yet the course of history aligned with His Will and plan because of their prayers and actions.
Many believers underestimate what God has given them through Jesus Christ. They underestimate the power and authority He has given us to change our lives and to leave an indelible mark of His goodness. The individuals in God’s Word that believed in faith are the true heroes. God has inspired us through their lives, so we’ll understand that just as they made history, we are doing the same. All of us that have been called by the Most High God are making history because we are moving His agenda forward through our humility and obedience to His Word.
Some of us have believed that our prayers do not matter, but there is power and authority in our prayers through Christ. James 5:16(NLT) tells us, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” As believers of God’s Word, we cannot afford to allow anything to interfere with our believing and our prayer lives, because they are so important to pleasing our Heavenly Father. We can’t allow the arrogance of society to put doubt and unbelief in our hearts, and we must always take our case or any issues we are experiencing in life before our Father’s throne of grace.
1Samuel 1 tells us about the record of Hannah, a woman who did just that, she took her case to the One who has all power in His hands. In earthier Biblical times, women’s rights were significantly less than that of a man, and a wife was in many respects looked upon as her husband’s property. She would not be considered respectable in society if she tried to earn a living for herself and did not have a husband. Her crowning achievement was to be dutiful and produce a son who would be her husband’s heir. Elkanah was Hannah’s husband. He also had another wife, Peninnah, and she made fun of Hannah and hurt her feelings because Hannah couldn’t have children. Hannah was very distraught about not having children and cried so much that she wouldn’t eat. Elkanah dearly loved her and tried consoling her in 1Samuel 1:8(NLT), “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?”
Many of us can relate to Hannah’s desire. She wanted to be looked upon as a good wife because it was critical during those days for a woman’s security. She desperately wanted to be a mother, and one day got up and went to pray in the tabernacle. She cried out to God bitterly in prayer and Eli, the priest took notice. At first, Eli mistook her crying for drunkenness, but she explained her situation to him. 1Samuel 1:17(NLT) tells us his response, “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” Hannah was so thankful and certain God had blessed her through the priest, that she went back to her family and began to eat.
This was the heart’s desire of a woman that everyone looked upon as average, and perhaps below average, because she couldn’t have a son. Hannah could have taken her disappointment and anger out on Peninnah or her husband. Or, she could have done as many people do today, and blame God for her condition and refuse to give Him the reverence and honor He is due, but Hannah chose a different course—the best course. She took her case to the Lord and poured her heart out to Him. She made a vow to dedicate her son’s life in serve to God as a way of demonstrating her gratitude for His goodness and power.
Hannah’s son was Samuel, the prophet who God appointed to anoint Israel’s first king, Saul, and God also chose Samuel to anoint King David, who slew the giant, Goliath, and wrote many of the psalms in the Bible. Samuel was instrumental in moving God’s plan forward for the children of Israel, and it began with the humble and fervent prayer of his mother, Hannah.
God said in Isaiah 66:2(NLT), “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.”” When our hearts are humble before God, and our desire is to please Him, our prayers are a very powerful spiritual instrument. The actions we take to live right, according to the example of Jesus Christ, will line us up with God’s Will and Word. We must never underestimate what we can accomplish on earth for God’s Kingdom. Through the faith of our Godly actions, we are changing the course of history, and impacting the world to the glory of God, our King.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
"Our Godly Actions Make A Huge Difference”, written for victoryinjesuschrist.life. Copyright© 2021. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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