THE X-FACTOR

"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" (Romans 9:16). 

"So then, it is not by the desire or by the attempt of man, but by the mercy of God" (Romans 9:16, Bible in Basic English). 

I have heard it said many times that life is not fair. While some are beneficiaries of the unfairness of life in the positive sense, others get the really unfair side of the incongruences of life. The issue is not so much about the fairness or otherwise of life. It is more about the factor of God's mercy in our lives. You see a lot of people who have put in far more than you did without getting as much results as God has graciously granted to you. If you think it was your prayers that brought you thus far, think about those who pray more than you but are yet to come as far as you have in life. 

And when you find yourself thinking that it was your strong faith that brought you that huge breakthrough in life or ministry, remind yourself of the heroes of faith whose strong faith brought them torture, "trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment". And there were others who "were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented...". And yet, the Scriptures say, "these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise" (see Hebrews 11:35-39). 

I love David. One day, after looking at all that God had done for him and considering the Lord's promises for years to come, "Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" (2 Samuel 7:18). Yes, David was a valiant man, an extraordinary worshipper of God and a man of intense faith in the Lord God of Israel. But he was also smart enough to know that he did not get to where he was on account of his personal merit. Like apostle Paul, he could only say, "by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). 

So where does all the above lead us? Pass your time here on earth with humbleness of heart before the Lord God. Keep in mind at all times that you are a product of His unmerited favour and that your achievements and attainments in life are ultimately no more than the result of His mercy which is largely undeserved. I like the man called Jacob. After he had become rich and successful, he confessed to God, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands" (Genesis 32:10). I repeat, "it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy". 

Secondly, pass your time of sojourn here on earth with a lot of humbleness of heart towards your fellow men. Don't let selfishness, pride and haughtiness define your relationship with other people. Be considerate, forebearing and merciful in your dealings with other men. Others may not be as fortunate and blessed as you are, but they are nonetheless mostly deserving of the kindness of God through you. God's goodness should make us humble and sober; His blessings are never designed to make us haughty and brash.