January 6 Does God Praise You?

John 5:44-47 “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? 45 But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
 
AFTER yesterday’s lesson to love the Lord above all, “Does the Lord praise you?” seem to be a self-centered question? Listen, though, to Jesus’ urging, “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” Does God praise his faithful followers?
   Yes he does. God is a good father. Good fathers praise their children for living well. Good children seek their parents’ praise.
   The Bible tells us so. Hear Jesus’ parable of the minas: Luke 19:17 “Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’” And listen to Jesus praising a faithful woman in Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”  Third, consider the assurance of the Lord’s praise in Psalms 5:12 For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
   God praises his faithful whose hearts are devoted to him above all things. Jesus urges us to seek his praise with faithful lives. If we answer our last lesson question, “Do you love God?” with a certain, “Yes, I do!” then your love will become real as you seek to obey the Lord.
   That means God’s Word is your absolute. Reject the culture norm. Stand in the church to defend God’s gospel. Defend your family from temptation. He is your God. He is your Savior. He is the Spirit.
   The Holy Trinity has quickened your soul to eternal life. Why would we prefer, “Well done.” from another person above “Well done.” from our holy, absolute God?
  
Prayer: I pray, Lord God, I desire your praise above all words. Amen.