Ascribe the Victory to God
C.H. Spurgeon's sermon calls believers to recognize and ascribe all victories to God, warning against the dangers of pride and self-exaltation.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of ascribing victory to God, using the example of the Syrians who recognized the supernatural power behind their defeat at the hands of the Israelites. He urges believers to avoid pride and to give all glory to God for any success or peace they experience, reminding them that it is God who works through them. Spurgeon warns that failing to honor God can lead to spiritual disaster, as God is jealous for His glory and will not share it with anyone. He encourages the faithful to adopt the mindset of the psalmist, always attributing glory to God's name. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for humility and recognition of God's sovereignty in all achievements.
Text
The Syrians had been defeated by the Israelites whom they despised. This victory had been achieved by so small a number of men over so vast a host that the Syrians were driven to the conclusion that there was something supernatural about it, and they ascribed their defeat to the God of Israel. They were right in doing so. Brethren, let not these heathen shame us. They knew to whom the crown of the victory belonged, and, little as they understood Jehovah, yet they recognized that his right hand and his holy arm had gotten for his people the victory.
Now, if the Lord has prospered you, if in your souls peace and joy are reigning, or if you have enjoyed success in Christian service, take heed that you do not lift up your horn on high and take honor to yourselves. Render all the glory to God, to whom it is most justly due. Let that psalm, "Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory," be always on your heart, and often on your tongue. The tendency of the human heart towards pride is very strong, and Satan, the great usurper, is always eager to stir us up to rob God of his glory. Yet nothing is more fatal to peace, nothing more sure to provoke God, nothing more certain to bring upon us times of disaster and distress. "The Lord thy God is a jealous God," and he is jealous of this thing, amongst others, that he will not give his glory to another. He will not allow those whom he uses for his purposes to ascribe their victories unto themselves; the Lord alone must be exalted. Whatever has been done by us, the great Worker who used us must have the praise. We have been nothing more than the axe in the hand of God if we have felled the cedar, nothing more than the net if we have brought the fish to shore. Unto him therefore be praise for ever. So far let us learn from the heathen Syrians.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "God of the Hills and God of the Valleys," delivered August 27, 1876.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Recognition of God's sovereignty in victories
- The example of the Syrians acknowledging defeat
- The supernatural nature of God's intervention
-
II
- The danger of pride in personal achievements
- The importance of giving glory to God
- Scriptural reminders against self-exaltation
-
III
- God's jealousy for His glory
- Consequences of robbing God of His honor
- The necessity of humility in service
-
IV
- Understanding our role as instruments of God
- The metaphor of the axe and the net
- Praise as a response to God's work through us
Key Quotes
“Let that psalm, 'Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory,' be always on your heart.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The Lord thy God is a jealous God, and he is jealous of this thing, amongst others, that he will not give his glory to another.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“We have been nothing more than the axe in the hand of God if we have felled the cedar.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Always give credit to God for your achievements to maintain a humble spirit.
- Regularly meditate on scripture that emphasizes God's glory to combat pride.
- Recognize yourself as an instrument of God's work, and respond with gratitude and praise.