By your power

O God, we have heard it with our own ears -- our ancestors have told us of all you did in other days, in days long ago: You drove out the pagan nations and gave all the land to our ancestors; you crushed their enemies , setting our ancestors free. They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them. Psalm 44: 1-3 NLT 

Does your family have a story about how they got where they are today? Perhaps you remember your father telling a story about how his parents overcame the depression or moved across the country. How is the story told? Have you ever thought about the fact that it was because of God that your ancestors overcame adversity?

The story in my family that comes to mind was when my grandfather, a produce buyer for a large grocery company, lost his job just before being eligible to retire. Because another company bought his grocery store out, he lost his retirement. The only thing that saved my grandparents in retirement was that my grandfather had saved a large amount and saved well.

Do I feel like it was coincidence that my grandfather saved? Was he just lucky? No, I feel like God's hand was with him to help him prepare for just such a circumstance. Certainly, I could brag on my grandfather's ability to prepare for an unknown future. But wouldn't it be much more powerful to brag on God's infinite ways of providing for us all?

God, we have heard it with our own ears, what our ancestors accomplished. It was by your power, not their own, that they were able to accomplish these things. We give you all the credit and the glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims