Sometimes when we step into blessings or experience God’s favor, it’s easy to assume it’s because of something we’ve done or earned. But God often reminds us that His ways—and His gifts—are not about our merit. They are about His faithfulness, His promises, and His perfect justice.
Deuteronomy 9:2–6 (NLT) — “The people are strong and tall—descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You’ve heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised. After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people.”
Israel was about to step into blessings they had longed for, but God gave them a sobering reminder: don’t get prideful. They weren’t receiving the land because they were righteous or deserving. They were receiving it because God is faithful, because His promises stand, and because He was judging the wickedness of the nations before them.
How easy it is for us, too, to slip into the trap of pride when God blesses us. When He answers prayers, opens doors, provides beyond what we imagined, or delivers us from trouble, we can begin to think it’s because of something good in us. But the truth is, every good and perfect gift comes from Him—not because of our righteousness, but because of His.
At the same time, these verses remind us that God hates wickedness. He doesn’t wink at evil or excuse rebellion. Wickedness destroys lives, families, and nations. As His children, we are called not only to love what is good but also to hate what is evil. That means we pray against wickedness in our world, in our communities, and in our own hearts. We ask God to purify us, to root out pride, and to help us walk humbly in His ways.
When we remember that our blessings come from God’s grace and not from our own merit, our hearts remain soft, thankful, and dependent on Him. Pride fades, gratitude grows, and faith deepens. We don’t strut into blessing—we bow our heads in awe that He has chosen to love us so generously.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for every blessing in my life. Help me to never think it’s because I deserve it, but always to remember it’s because of Your love and faithfulness. Teach me to hate wickedness as You do, and to pray for Your righteousness to prevail in my life, in my family, and in this world. Keep me humble and thankful as I walk with You, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
James 1:17 — “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
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