Faith is not about me. I have a very limited internet presence. It used to be larger, but I know that I have been “shadow banned” on a few occasions (usually means that all but a few people will see my content near the top of their social media feed, typically it goes to the bottom, and is buried, from what people have told me), or my content is too long and people pass it by. This used to bother me. I’d pray “God, why do I do these videos and daily devotionals only to be watched by one or two people at a time?” I wanted likes, I wanted comments, I wanted recognition for my work. I am humbled, time and time again by reading the Bible. While the prophets, from Moses on forward, may have been popular in their day, they were constantly embattled, belittled, and some even abused and murdered. Some of them never even had any converts, they were just messengers. Jesus, in John 2, looked at the crowds, but did not endear Himself to them because He knew what was in their hearts.
I say all that to say this: too many of us want to serve God for the recognition. We want the glory, and not God. In all things, living and dying, preaching and silence, proclamation and hearing, working and resting, God should be the One receiving all glory, honor and power. Loved ones, it’s not about us. I recognize that my life is either in His service, or it is in mine. One path leads to life, one leads to death, and that we all must choose between these two routes. Pray to God for wisdom. Humble yourself before God. Seek His approval, and not man’s. It is better to live poor and unrecognized by the world, than to hear “I never knew you. Away from me, doer of lawlessness.” Choose wisely.
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
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