God Has the Final Word

History tells us that on the morning of the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon stood gazing on the field of battle and described to his commanding officer the strategy for that day’s campaign. Then he declared that at the end of the day, England would be at the feet of France, and the Duke of Wellington, who was leading the British forces, would be the prisoner of Napoleon.

After a pause, Napoleon’s commanding officer boldly said, "We must not forget that man proposes, but God disposes."

With arrogant pride, Napoleon shot back, "I want you to understand, sir, that Napoleon proposes and Napoleon disposes."

Commenting on that statement, Victor Hugo said, "After that moment, Waterloo was lost, for God sent rain and hail so that the troops could not be maneuvered as he had planned, and on the night of the battle it was Napoleon who was prisoner of Wellington, and France was at the feet of England."

Anything that any man or woman accomplishes in life has been given to him or her as a gift from God. No matter what someone may have discovered or invented, no matter how much wealth someone has amassed or how successful they may have been, their lives were given to them by God. Their intellectual capacities were given to them by God. The beat of their heart was given to them by God.

It is good to remember that everything we have is from the Lord. As Deuteronomy 8:18 tells us, "Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath."

Fear God. Reverence God. Remember, He has the final word on every subject, no matter what. God will have the last word.