^“The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’”

Judges 7:2

Today, I am convicted.

I am convicted of believing that I have outgrown the blood of Jesus. I have forgotten the depth of the pit which God delivered me from. I have failed to trust in God for His promises and have acted out of foolishness. I have found myself in friendships for selfish gain. I have forgotten that everything I have has come from His hand. I have begun to take credit where credit is not due.

I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

But what’s worse than sinning? The pride that keeps me from admitting my sin.

Gina, who are you? You are a sinner. You are but a vapor. You are you.

God knows you. God knows your sin. He’s not fooled.

Gina, God allows you to sin so that you can never say that your own hand has saved you. He will continue to strip down the army of your pride, as long as you live. Thank Him for this. Thank Him that only the Lord can turn beauty to ashes and can turn shame into glory. You can’t do that.

You never needed to.

That’s His job.

We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Don’t take what is God’s. Let Him get the glory.

Even if that means it costs you yours.