WATCH OUT IN THE PLACE OF YOUR STRENGTH

WATCH OUT IN THE PLACE OF YOUR STRENGTH

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Memory text:
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever been surprised and ashamed about how you reacted in a particular situation? This happened to me sometimes ago. I was shocked and I couldn’t believe that I could do that. God used my foolish action that day to teach me a life lesson.
Great men fail just where they think they are strongest and where they are acclaimed to be strongest. Most great men have an Achilles’ heel, that is, a hidden weakness in them despite their overall strength, which, if not given quick attention, can lead to their downfall. Noah, the preacher of righteousness, fell to the shameful state of drunkenness! (Gen 9:21; 2Pet 2:5).
Remember that Moses was described in the scripture as the meekest man in all the earth (Num‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬). Meekness is humility toward God and toward others. It is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else, that is, a controlled strength that puts everything in God’s hands.
Yes, Moses did demonstrate meekness. Rather than being angry and bitter against the people at Marah, when they complained against him for lack of water, Moses cried out to God (Exo 15:22-25). He pleaded with God for Miriam after God’s judgment came on her for her evil speaking and rebellion against him (Num 12:13). Even at the grievous rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, Moses was mild in his reaction and didn’t shift focus from God to himself (Num 16:4-5).
How did he then lapse into such a level of impatience, anger, bitterness, and contempt for the people and pride towards God? The meekest man lost his temper and said, “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” (Num 20:10). He then struck the rock twice with his rod instead of speaking to the rock, contrary to God’s command. What a contrast to meekness! He exhibited pride, as he attempted to take credit for providing water for the people. Moses failed in his strongest area, that is, in meekness. We need to be on guard, especially where we think we are strong and confident.
Friends, are you becoming overconfident and proud of your acclaimed spiritual qualities? Has God used some failures to reveal your Achilles heel to you? Pray for grace and depend on grace always. Don’t lower your guard in any area and especially in the place of your strength. May you not fall in Jesus’ name.

Prayer points
1. Father, deliver me from overconfidence and the tendency to lower my guard in the area of my strength, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, please, give me grace in both the areas of my weakness and my strength, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. We fall when we think we need grace only in the place of our weakness and not in the place of our strength.
2. As I depend daily on God’s grace, He will make a way of escape for me in temptation.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng