Strategic Victory

Read Proverbs 16

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Proverbs 16:32

The mission of the believer is not too different from that of history’s most noted conquerors. We must be determined. Forceful. Inspired. Yet we do not set our sights on triumphing over nations. Our foe is our nature—the sinful nature that is used to getting what it wants. Our weapons of war are patience and self-control. Learning to be patient is the mark of maturity. For example, a baby cries until it gets what is needed. It is impossible for a baby to understand or appreciate the principle of delayed gratification. However, a mature adult learns to control his or her desires and practice patience.

Self-control allows us to disarm natural urges. Delayed gratification means waiting for sex until marriage. Patience allows us to discipline our children in love, never in anger. Power conquers cities; patience conquers sin. We need not set sail for new horizons seeking the ultimate conquest. We can merely look into the nearest mirror. It is better to conquer oneself than to conquer an entire city.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Power is revealed in self-control.

Today, Lord, I will fight my greatest foe—myself. Make me victorious and self-controlled today.