From: May 8, 2023
“No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God” (John 5:44 NLT).
Jesus contrasted His motives with that of the Jewish leaders who questioned His authority. He boldly told them that their approval meant nothing to Him (v.41). For He only sought the approval of His Father in whose name He had come. However, He accused them of only caring for the approval of men. It was this desire to please men rather than God that kept them from believing in Jesus.
Our human desire for the approval of others motivates many a sin. The worst of which is the sin of unbelief. For this is the chief sin that condemns us. We seek our own fame rather than the Lord’s and we become as Esau, who sold his birthright for a plate of pottage. For human fame is fleeting. Yet, when we seek to make the Lord Jesus famous, we humble ourselves and the Father raises us up.
Whose approval do you seek? Whose applause? Seek the honor that comes from the One who alone is God.
PRAYER: Our Father, forgive us when we seek the approval and fleeting fame of men. Today, we would humble ourselves as Your servants, so that we seek Your approval. Test and try our hearts, so that we are only motivated by Your applause. We fear You above the fear of men. For You alone are God. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 8, 2016
This verse about how Samuel grew is very similar to the one in Luke 2:52 that described how Jesus grew. Samuel was a wanted child. His mother, Hannah, had been barren, but she prayed to God for a son, promising to give him back to the Lord. And God heard her prayer. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah presented him to the priest, Eli, to raise. So, Samuel grew up serving in the Tabernacle of the Lord (1 Sam. 3:1). In contrast to Eli’s own rebellious sons, his adopted son, Samuel, was called of God. It’s amazing how God used a mother’s love and prayers to bring forth a deliverer in Israel like Samuel, a man who grew up like Jesus did. Hannah’s love and faith should still inspire mothers today!
Happy Mother’s Day!
From: May 8, 2015
Jesus described the four-fold witness that attested to His identity as the Christ, the Son of God: 1) John the Baptist, 2) His works, 3) the Father, and 4) the Scriptures. In order to reject Jesus, one must reject all four of these witnesses. Today, I am a witness to Christ’s identity. I affirm the four witnesses’ testimony and bear witness of His salvation work in me and in mine. Can you bear witness with us?
From: May 8, 2014
While young Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle he was awakened a fourth time by the voice of the Lord calling him. The first three times he ran to Eli, thinking his old master was calling him. He didn’t yet recognize God’s voice. After the third time old Eli realized that God must be calling to Samuel, so he instructed him on how to answer. When Samuel replied as Eli instructed, God spoke to him. From that day forward Samuel was confirmed as a prophet. Throughout Israel he was respected as a prophet of God whose word was reliable. Samuel had to learn to hear God’s voice and respond. Have you learned to hear from God? Are you willing to get up in the middle of the night to hear from Him?