Seeking the Favour of God

UV 4124/10000 Seeking the Favour of God How can you believe ( in Me) , when you (seek and) receive glory and approval from one another, and yet do not seek the glory and approval which comes from the one and only God. John 5 v 44 Our focus should not be fame, popularity or validation of others. We should seek the approval of the Lord alone. We are to be God-pleasers not people-pleasers. We need to seek the esteem of God like Daniel or Joseph. These were men who excelled in their work but also were obsessed with seeking and living in the grace or favour of God. They aligned their lives, lifestyles, habits, aspirations with the will and word of the Lord. Jesus Himself is the exemplar of One who continually and consistently sought the approval of the Father. Faced with the ignominy and pain of the cross, He cried out , “Yet not my will but Yours, O Lord.” If we do seek approval of men, it should be with the intent to glorify the name of God for Jesus said, “ Let your light so shine that men might see it and glorify God.” We are not to sin but to shine before men so that they attribute our light to the grace and greatness of God in us, God with us. Paul also exhorted the early believers to be like a skilled workman who is not ashamed of his tools. Our tools are our bodies, our intellects, our talents, abilities, knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Every “tool” should be fully utilized to magnify the name of the Lord, to show the world that He is truly awesome. The glory and approval of man is fickle, transient, unreliable. The glory and approval of God is eternal, permanent, long lasting, reliable. We need to seek His glory and approval with all our hearts and minds. The Lord should testify about us as He did of His Son Jesus, “ Listen to Him, He is My own beloved Son.” The sign of God’s favour resting on both Daniel and Joseph was manifested in their ability to interpret dreams and visions. Whatever Jesus did and spoke, He attributed all glory and greatness to the Father. Likewise, if there is anything good that we have said or done, we should attribute it to our Father in heaven and to the grace of Jesus, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.