WHO GETS THE CREDIT?

Dearly Beloved, WHO GETS THE CREDIT? "`I cannot do it,' Joseph replied to Pharaoh, `but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires'" (Genesis 41:16 NIV). "Daniel replied, `No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries'" (Daniel 2:27-28a NIV). God has given each one of us one or more abilities to do things. By human nature, we normally want to be praised for any good thing we have done through these abilities. We always ascribe honour to ourselves for such abilities. At times, we even try to get the credit of the good things that those around us have done. This human nature is prevalent in the life of one who has not totally surrendered his/her life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It makes people to strive for the praise and approval of men, and even make them to do all their possible best to be in charge so that people will see them as somebody that has a special ability that others do not have. This has been the bane of some sit-tight leaders that do not want to relinquish their position to other people. Joseph and Daniel were men who preferred to let God, and not themselves, get the credit for their God-given gifts. Both of them had similar situations. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt had two dreams that troubled him. He sought for the interpretation of these dreams from the Egyptian wise men and magicians, but none of them could interpret the dreams. It was then an officer remembered Joseph who could accurately interpret dreams. Joseph was brought to the presence of Pharaoh. When the king was trying to praise Joseph for his gift, Joseph quickly gave God the credit (Genesis 41:1-16). Daniel did the same thing in Daniel 2:27-28 and even refused to get any reward for this gift in Daniel 5:17. These two men humbled themselves and gave God the credit of what they could do, and God exalted each of them to high positions in foreign lands. Who gets the credit for your ability and power to do those good things that you are doing? Do you normally give the credit to God? The Bible says, "This is what the LORD says: `Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV). Surrender yourself totally to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit to be able to do this. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Points: 1. Thank God for your God-given abilities. 2. Pray that you will have the humble heart to always remember to give God the credit for these abilities. 3. Pray that God will exalt you as you give Him the credit for the abilities.