Psalm 44: ¹ We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: ² you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; ³ for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your countenance, for you delighted in them. 

The writer gives praise to God for deeds done in generations past. In the rest of Psalm 44 the writer goes on to thank God for faithfulness in his day as well. What gets my attention this morning is in v.3 “for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory; but your right hand…”. Did God’s people have to fight when they entered the Promised Land? Yes. But the credit for their success belonged to God alone, for apart from God they never would have escaped Egypt, much less taken possession of the Promised Land.

So this morning I’m thinking of all the ways I have seen God’s hand move in my life and the blessings I’ve been given. There are so many. This is not to say that I haven’t had a part to play when things have worked out, but I know that my God is the one who gets the glory. Apart from my Lord I can do nothing. Lord never let me forget your work in my life and in the lives of those I love. Whatever success we’ve had we owe to you alone. Amen.