CLAIMING VICTORY

Today's reading: Isaiah 18-22

"When I raise my battle flag on the mountain, let all the world take notice. When I blow the trumpet, listen! For the Lord has told me this..." Isaiah 18:3-4 NLT

These verses surely caught my eye this morning as I thought of how surely we all want victory over one thing or another in our lives.

We want to stand on that mountain and claim out victory by putting our flag in the territory formerly owned and inhabited by our enemy.

We want the world to see us standing proudly and victoriously.

We want to make sure they all hear our victory shouts.

But did you notice what preceded all the conquest?

Did you see what the victor had done prior to claiming his prize?

Did you read far enough into the Scripture to see how the challenge was even accomplished?

He had talked to the Lord.

He had listened to what the Lord had to say.

He had followed the Lord's advice.

He had sought out the Lord's counsel prior to making the attack.

What good advice for us!

Too many times we tend to rush in and take over. Or expect God to follow us into our well-laid out plans. Or to be there to pat us on the back for a job well done. Or to rescue us when we've totally screwed things up.

How about we start going to Him first?