"For Heaven's Applause" December 5 Readings: Joel 2:18-3:21, 2 Peter 3, Psalm 136:22–26, Proverbs 29:24–27

 

 Through the Bible in 2021

Bible Readings:  Joel 2:18-3:21, 2 Peter 3, Psalm 136:22–26, Proverbs 29:24–27  

Daily Devotional: "For Heaven's Applause"  

The terminology has changed a lot since I was a young kid in church. You don't hear much about "rededications" anymore, and "church training" is now called discipleship and I am quite sure new terms on being readied as we speak. Back then, we "gave testimonies." Now, we share. One term I don't hear much anymore is "besetting sin."

A besetting sin is that one that seems to always get the better of you, that one that constantly assails you, and is your chief spiritual challenge. For some, it might be temper and they find themselves losing control time and again. For others, the besetting sin is lust and they constantly fall prey to those base desires. For others, materialism's pull is just too strong to resist. The specifics differ but most of us have a sin that grabs us and won't let go.

Proverbs 29:25 describes what may very well be my besetting sin.

The fear of mankind is a snare,
but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.

Over and over again in the scriptures, we are told to fear the Lord, to hold him in such awe and respect that we live all our lives to please him and do nothing that would displease him - to live our lives for God's applause and his alone. According to Proverbs, fearing the Lord is the key to all the blessings of God. 

The opposite is true of the fear of man. When we live to please people our chief concern is not their relationship with God but their opinions of us. It is a snare to the soul. We must choose whose applause we want and for whose pleasure we will live. Serving God precludes universal popularity - some people will hate you as they hated Jesus. (Make sure it is for righteousness' sake, not because you are a jerk!) God's spokesmen often speak unpopular truths and his servants serve Heaven's interests, not the world's. 

It is easy to pass off a sin like this as if it is a little thing. "I care too much what people think about me." It almost sounds noble - loving, sensitive. And it is no biggie, like adultery or murder or some such shameful sin, after all. But for those who, like me, desire to devote their lives to serving God, it is truly a snare, as Solomon said. It entraps and enslaves, preventing us from serving God.

Those who would serve Christ must fear him and him alone. The fear of man is a snare. It is a snare I must constantly avoid. 

Father, may I live to serve you. May every moment of my life be lived for your pleasure, and yours alone. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you live for the pleasure of God and God alone, or are you living in fear of what people think and desiring their favor?
If God's command will anger someone else, what do you do?