Praised by God #2—Singular Praise

If you accept praise from one another and don’t seek the praise that comes from the one God, you can’t believe me. John 5:44

When he returned from the battle with the four kings, Abraham had a choice: accept physical tokens of gratitude from the King of Sodom or look to the Almighty for his prosperity; he chose God. Immediately afterward, he professed his confidence to Yahweh, who then proclaimed him righteous. Israel had a choice when they entered the Promised Land: to pledge allegiance to the local deities or to seek the power of the one who brought them out of Egypt; they forsook Yahweh, who then declared them unrighteous. Jesus had a choice too: He chose to speak and act according to God’s direction, rather than in a way that would bring approval and affirmation from men who did not love God. Because Jesus’ contemporaries did not love the invisible and soft-spoken God, they did not seek his affirming acclamation. They were impatient. Instead of waiting to hear God announcing, “Well done!” on the last day, they desired praise from other human beings whose presence was more immediately tangible. We have a choice too. We only need to listen for the one voice. Praise from people who simply breathe air and whose lives are like vapors will only die on the wind. But praise from the One who created us will sustain our joy for eternity. Desiring the praise of the One we value most will lead us to acknowledge, acclaim, and pledge allegiance to Jesus, the anointed one who came to bring us the words of eternal life.

We look forward, O God, to your life-giving affirmation of righteousness as we follow Jesus in the obedience of faith.