“It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves…” Psalm 100:3, NKJV

Some people pride themselves in being ‘self-made’ – they achieved success through their own efforts, and didn’t have to rely on inherited wealth, privilege, or pre-existing connections.

TV personality Oprah Winfrey is said to be the most iconic of the ‘self-made’ people.

However, when you take a good look, you will notice that whereas the so called ‘self-made’ individuals may appear to have achieved success through their own efforts, they also did receive lots of help from other external factors – mentorship, education, or unexpected messengers that provided timely guidance or opportunities.

Indeed, many ‘self-made’ individuals also do admit that pure luck played a big part in their journey to success – being in the right place at the right time, or meeting the right person, etc.

David credited his successful life to divine Providence; he refused to accept that the notion that he was self-made.

“It is God who has made us, and not we ourselves,” he says in our meditation verse today.

Of course, there were several people who helped David on his journey to the throne; some risking their lives to protect him from danger.

However, David was absolutely sure that God was the one to be credited for making him what he was.

In John 15:5, our Lord Jesus told His disciples; “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.”

Whatever we are; what we shall become; whatever gifts we have; whatever we can do; whatever we have is by His Grace and His Grace alone!

I pity Christians who boast about their success or beauty or possessions and look down on others.

There’s a way people despise stuff that were made in a certain country and respect those made in USA, Italy or Japan.

If you’re a Christian, you were ‘Made in Heaven’ – you’re of the highest quality.

The truth is that without Christ we are all nothing and can do nothing!

God desires that ‘no flesh should boast in His presence.’

We should be on the watchout against the ‘Laodicean spirit,’ which tells God; “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.”

Of course, Jesus rebuked that Church saying; “You don’t know that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

The apostle Paul could not state it any better: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).

Let this sink in: Whatever we are; what we shall become; whatever gifts we have; whatever we can do; whatever we have is by His Grace and His Grace alone!

We’re not self-made; it’s Christ who has made us. He alone deserves the glory. Amen!