You’ve heard the phrase “self-made man,” right?
It typically refers to someone who started with nothing and worked their way up to a high position, through their own determination and sweat.
But I’ve got news for you: no matter how hard you’ve worked in this life, you are not self-made.
Psalm 100:3 puts it this way: “Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (NASB)
As Believers, we can claim no credit.
God created us, God saved us, and God sustains us everyday—all the glory belongs to Him.
And there’s a very practical blessing in this for us: it takes the pressure off.
In other words, if God saved us, then God is the One who will sanctify us (True, we have a part in it, but the Holy Spirit enables us and is ultimately responsible.)
And if God gave us life on this earth, He will sustain it—He will provide for our needs like a shepherd caring for His sheep.
We belong to God. He is responsible for us.
And this truth frees us up. We no longer have to worryabout meeting all our own needs or about the rate of our spiritual progress.
If we submit ourselves to Him, He will do it.
So what are you going to do with all your free time—the time you would have spent worrying about these things?
Psalm 100:1-2 gives us a suggestion: “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” (NASB)
After all, praising God with the life He gave us is what we were created for.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation. www.lockman.org