Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 
Psalm 20:6-7

 Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 
Psalm 127:1

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Thunderous applause. Standing affirmations. With the production of a demi-god, the man in the pin-striped suit ramped up the gathering of life insurance agents. He was the author of God, I’ll Give You All The Credit… And I’ll Take All The Commissions: How to Fulfill Your Faith. Your Job. Yourself. Thirty years later, I couldn’t find my copy, but I remembered enough of the title to Google it. His message, at least the part about giving all credit to God, stuck.

What struck me then and still does today,  is the way he connected God’s role in attaining phenomenal sales production. The audience rejoiced with him as he metaphorically cast out market and sales resistance as if they were demons. 

I’m reminded that if God is behind the project, it will stand. We do not trust in our efforts alone.

Perhaps you remember when Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples in pairs to go ahead of himself and preach the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand. He instructed them, “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals” (Luke 10:1).

Like the book title, God, I’ll give you All the Credit…, the seventy-two return to Christ and report with joy, “Lord, even demons submit to us in your name.” They credit their miracles to the name of Jesus. He says, “I have given you authority,” in other words, the miraculous power of God. 

The seventy-two exemplify the truths found in today’s two verses. We are reminded to rely on God as they did. “We trust in the name of our Lord our God” (Psalm 20:6).

The seventy-two knew their purpose; their plan was given to them by Christ. They were told not to rely on their own strength and were “successful” in living into God’s will.

Let’s do the same and become more aware of God’s miraculous presence in all we do. First seek then follow his will. Be aware that “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

Next Steps

Read Luke 10:1-20. Then, consider dedicating your next project to the greater glory of God. Before acting, seek God’s will through prayer, perhaps fasting, maybe getting advice from others, and following the Spirit through each step. Watch and see what happens.