Bible Reading: Numbers 31; Psalms 75 & 76; Isaiah 23; 1 John 1
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. (Psalms 75:6-7)
Asaph reminds us of a very important thing in God's Word – no one pulls themselves up by their own bootstraps. This Psalm is written during a time of political unrest and Asaph is watching many ungodly men vie for position. Those who are in positions of authority, he reminds not to speak with arrogance.
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. (Psalms 75:4-5)
In his day, like ours, many arrogant and wicked men were trying to get in positions of power. Any time the Bible speaks of a horn it is referring to power. These men were speaking with pride at their accomplishments and Asaph reminds us that is wickedness. It does not matter when in life we are, we need to understand that promotion does not come from the east, west or the south. Promotion comes from the LORD. We do not need to toot our own horn, God will see to it that you are promoted as necessary! God is the judge. He puts one down and sets another up.
Think of Joseph in the book of Genesis! He was promoted to one of the most prominent positions in Egypt by God's mighty hand. He did not accomplish that rise to power! Where are you right now? Are you not where you think you ought to be? Trust in God! He is ALWAYS trying to teach you something about himself. Do you have a boss who is not righteous? Trust in God, he is the one who can move him out of the way and raise up another!
Maybe you are at a hard place in life and you think you should be doing better than you are. Trust in God! He has the ability to place you where he wants, just wait upon him! Maybe you are doing pretty well in life. Don't get the big head and remember what the Bible says:
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
If you have a strong back, a smart mind, if you are fast, if you have a good job – you did not achieve those things, God gave them to you!
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he did not get there by himself! You are the same! Give God the glory and be thankful.
In Christ,
Rody
