Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.
It is good to make plans. It is good to prepare well for whatever battle one faces. But always remember that the victory belongs to the Lord. His will will be done. With such knowledge, you should:
1. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout your preparations and battle. You may pray for victory, but more importantly that you will honor Christ in the battle.
2. Neither bemoan your weakness nor be puffed up in your strength. It is by your weakness that God’s strength is made known. Whatever strength you may have is what God has given to you.
3. God has his own purposes beyond your battle. You do not know what those purposes are. But you do know that all things are to work toward his glory, and you know that as his child those purposes include your good. God is not distant, indifferent to your battles. But God is also not contained in your small world.
4. Whatever success you may experience, the victory belongs to the Lord and he is to receive all credit and glory.
Now go forth to your battles today.
Psalm 52
Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
Why do you boast all day long,
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 You who practice deceit,
your tongue plots destruction;
it is like a sharpened razor.
3 You love evil rather than good,
falsehood rather than speaking the truth.[c]
4 You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue!5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living.
6 The righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh at you, saying,
7 “Here now is the man
who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
and grew strong by destroying others!”8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
9 For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.