Invisible Hands

Bible Reading: Psalm 18:31-36

“I knew I’d win a prize. I just knew it!” Josh stroked the shiny blue ribbon he

was holding and grinned, remembering how quickly his horse had stood straight and still, with ears flicked forward. “Blaze was the best because he had the best trainer—me!”

“You did a good job training your horse,” Dad said, “but remember, you didn’t train him alone.”

“Yes, I did,” said Josh. “No one helped me—at least not much. I don’t need help. I know everything about…” He paused as Dad suddenly slowed down and stopped at the side of the road.

“Aha!” Dad said. “I thought I saw something odd.”

“What?” asked Josh, peering out the window. He got out and followed Dad to a fence that ran beside the road.

“Look.” Dad stopped beside one of the thick, round fence posts. A big turtle sat on top of it, sleeping in the sun.

Josh was flabbergasted. “How did he climb up there?”

“Well, I’d say someone must have put him there,” said Dad. “But he probably never even saw the hands that picked him up!” He lifted the turtle and set him on the ground. “Or the hands that put him down,” Dad added. “When he sees his friends again, maybe he’ll tell them—in turtle language, of course—that he got up on that post and back down again all by himself.”

Josh had a feeling Dad was talking about more than just the turtle.

“Invisible hands,” said Dad softly, “and I’d say that’s the help you had in training Blaze—God’s invisible hands.”

“You mean God helped me?” asked Josh. “God helped me train a horse?”

Dad nodded. “God gave you a brain and arms and legs and the ability to learn how to train Blaze,” he said. “Right?”

“Well, yeah,” Josh said thoughtfully. “So…”

“So instead of bragging about your horse training skills, maybe you should thank God for all He’s allowed you to do and give Him the credit for your accomplishments,” said Dad. “After all, where would you be if He hadn’t created you and given you all your abilities—or sent His Son to die for your sins?”

Josh sighed. “Nowhere,” he said. “You’re right, Dad. I owe Him everything.” – Jane K. Chase

How About You?

Do you give God the credit for your accomplishments, like getting good grades or winning at sports? Or do you let others think it’s all you? It’s okay to feel good about things you do well, but don’t forget to thank God for each success—after all, He’s the one who created you, saved you from sin, and blessed you with everything you have and are able to do. Nothing you do compares to what He’s done.

Today’s Key Verse:
2 Corinthians 10:17 If anyone wants to be proud, he should be proud of
what the Lord has done. (NLV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give God credit for your abilities