THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT
THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT
The Dream Team IV, Nigerian team were to play the almighty Brazilian team during the semi-final of men’s football at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic games; the Brazilian team paraded best players in the world as at then and were tagged the winner of the tournament. At the end of the first half, the odd was against Nigeria; the scoreline was three goals for Brazil and one for Nigeria. But by the second half and few minutes to the end of the game, Nigeria scored their second goal, levelled up at the last minute and eventually won the match and the tournament instead of the tipped Brazilian Team. The world was surprised, the entire stadium was agog, the Brazilian Team and their handlers could not believe that the game could turn against them. Watching the match again after several years, I realized that the last two goals by Nigerian team came by chance, both teams actually put in their best, but the one with more chances won.
The Preacher admonished us that whatever your hand finds doing, do it with all your power. It is not a curse to work, every man or woman created by God is created to work and make profit. It does not matter what you do, so far it is a legitimate work, do with a caveat that you ascribe your successes to God, the owner of life, time and chance. But if one must work, run or battle, how come his/her preparation not determining the race, how come he labours with no commensurate results? Peter cried out, I have laboured all the night and caught nothing. Indeed, many people are in Peter’s position today.
The point is, not all races will be won by speed, some battles will be won by grace, favour or God’s decision. One would think that the lightest of foot should, in running, win the prize; and yet the race is not always to the swift; one would think that, in fighting, the most numerous and powerful army should be always victorious, and, in single combat, that the bold and mighty champion should win the laurel; but the battle is not always to the strong; one would think that men of sense should always be men of substance, and that those who know how to live in the world should not only have a plentiful maintenance, but get great estates; and yet it does not always prove so; even bread is not always to the wise, much less riches always to men of understanding. Many ingenious men, and men of business, who were likely to thrive in the world, have strangely gone backward and come to nothing, for favour is not always to men of skill, but fools are favoured and wise men frowned upon. Why? It is because God is a determining factor of everything in life, for favour must speak.
The world may tell you that those with the qualifications, good grades, skills, talents and experience get the jobs, promotions and high salaries but you don’t have to be limited by that. Though, you are not the smartest, strongest, most knowledgeable, beautiful or handsome; God can still crown your efforts with good success if you depend on His grace. The favour of God make the difference, the Israelites did not possess the land by their own sword (even though they fought), neither did their own arm save them but because the Lord favour them. Beloved, God’s favour will speak for you. You might have laboured without profit, but your time is now to be favoured. You don’t have to do anything, only believe. Men may have overtaken you, you will surely recover all. If you can hold on to God, He will create chances for you and you will definitely shine. It is not by power, nor by might, but by God. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy (Romans 9:10-16).
Word Affirmation: “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." - Romans 9:28 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“It is not by power, nor by might, but by God."
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