Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands. 15 And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.
This passage of scripture describes for us a stunning victory that was given by God through Samson, over the philistine armies, for the passage specifically states that The Spirit of The Lord came mightily upon him, meaning that the supernatural strength and bravery manifested by Samson did not originate with him, but rather came directly from God. But Samson's testimony in the last sentence of the same passage does not bear witness to the truth, for he declares that he had slain a thousand men with the jaw-bone of an ass, thus taking the glory to himself.
When the Bible speaks of giving God the glory for accomplishments in the temporal, intellectual, or spiritual realms, it is not merely referring to offering praise and thanksgiving, it also means giving God the credit for that which is accomplished, for it is God who works within us to will and to do of His good pleasure. David realized the fact of God's interposition in granting him the supernatural ability to slay the lion, the bear and Goliath, and whenever we acknowledge God as the giver and accomplisher of all our achievements, the glory and credit that is due to His holy name, will not be usurped by the human agent, but like David, the credit will flow heavenward to God. Let's read:
1st Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
In our day there are many inventions and many great achievements by people possessing rare genius, yet we scarcely ever hear of the glory being given to God, for what has been accomplished. When the jetliner landed safely on the Hudson river, filled with passengers who all escaped unharmed, the pilot, Mr. Sullenberger was credited with the skill, wisdom and knowledge, which brought the plane down safely, but not much was said of the obvious interposition of God who had mercy on the passengers, flight attendants, and pilots alike.
Whatever abilities, gifts talents or endowments we possess, are gifts from God, and they are used only as God works in and through us. This sacred truth was reiterated by Christ as He spoke to His disciples on one occasion. Let's read:
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that reminds us that God is still the giver of all good gifts and talents, and that whatsoever we accomplish by His grace, is done in cooperation with Him, working in and through us every day of our lives. Let's read:
Acts 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
When we begin to understand this passage, all the glory which belongs to God will be given Him as His rightful due. God bless!