"How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another
and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?"
(John 5:44)
Jesus is the Son of God, the fulfillment of the Scriptures, and the source of eternal life. It is God the Father Himself who testifies on His behalf. True belief and faith cannot coexist with the desire for human approval at the expense of divine approval. It comes from seeking and valuing God’s approval above all else. This is because human praise is fleeting and subjective, while God’s approval is eternal and objective. Let us focus on our relationship with God, rather than being overly concerned with how others perceive us. Our faith should not be influenced by the desire for human praise, but should be rooted in a sincere love for God and a desire to follow His commandments.
31 Jesus said to the Jews: “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. 32 But there is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. 33 You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. 37 Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. 40 But you do not want to come to me to have life. 41 “I do not accept human praise; 42 moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope. 46 For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:31-47)
In the grand theater of life, applause may rise and fall, human praise is fleeting, it doesn't define us at all. Subjective and transient, like shadows at dusk, in God's eternal approval, we must put our trust. God's approval is steadfast, it's objective and true, unchanging and eternal, like the sky's endless blue. In His eyes, we find our worth, in His love, we are free, His approval is the compass that guides us across life's sea. Let us focus on God, let His love be our guide, not swayed by perceptions, in His truth, we confide. Our faith should not waver with the praise of the crowd but be rooted in love for God, sincere and loud. In following His commandments, we find our true path, away from fleeting praise, away from transient wrath. For God's approval is eternal, His commandments are clear, in His love and guidance, we have nothing to fear.
Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You today, acknowledging that human praise is fleeting and subjective. We recognize that Your approval, Lord, is eternal and objective. It is You who sees our hearts and knows our true worth. Help us, Lord, to focus on our relationship with You. Let us not be overly concerned with how others perceive us, but let us strive to live in a way that pleases You. May our actions reflect our love for You and our desire to follow Your commandments. We understand that our faith should not be influenced by the desire for human praise. Instead, let it be rooted in a sincere love for You, Lord. Help us to seek Your approval above all else, knowing that it is Your approval that truly matters. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your unfailing love and guidance. We pray that we may always find comfort and hope in Your eternal and objective approval. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
Despite our human failings, shortcomings and mistakes, God’s love for us is unwavering and His promises remain. His promises are steadfast, and He is always ready to forgive us when we come to Him with a sincere heart and a repentant spirit. This encapsulates the essence of God’s grace and mercy and a powerful reminder of the hope and redemption that is available to us all.
7 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. 8 They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshipping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, ‘This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I see how stiff-necked this people is. 10 Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation.” 11 But Moses implored the Lord, his God, saying, “Why, O Lord, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent he brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains and exterminate them from the face of the earth’? Let your blazing wrath die down; relent in punishing your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’” 14 So the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people. (Exodus 32:7-14)
In the realm of our failings, in the depth of our strife, in the midst of our shortcomings, in the chaos of life, God's love stands unwavering, a beacon so bright, His promises remain, guiding us through the night. His love, like a river, flows deep and wide, despite our human failings, it's always by our side. Our mistakes may be many, our sins not few but His forgiveness is steadfast, His love always true. His promises are anchors, steadfast and sure, in a world ever-changing, they forever endure. He's always ready to forgive, to wash away our sin when we come to Him, with a heart repentant within. So let us seek His face, with a spirit sincere and remember His promises, hold them near. For despite our human failings, one truth remains, God's love is unwavering, and His promise sustains.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging our human failings, shortcomings, and mistakes. Yet, we are comforted by the knowledge that Your love for us is unwavering and Your promises remain. Your promises are steadfast, a solid rock upon which we can stand. You are always ready to forgive us when we come to You with a sincere heart and a repentant spirit. Help us, Lord, to always remember this. Despite our imperfections, may we strive to emulate Your love and mercy in our daily lives. May we continually turn to You for guidance, strength, and forgiveness. Thank you, Lord, for Your unwavering love and steadfast promises. We pray that we may always find comfort and hope in them. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
It is God who had saved us and performed miracles that have changed our lives. Let us always remember to give Him the glory that is due to Him, and not exchange it for any idol or worldly thing. Worshipping idols is often seen in the context of religious practices where an image or representation is worshipped as if it were a deity. In a broader sense, idolatry can also refer to extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. This could be an excessive devotion or attachment to a person, idea, or object to the point where it takes precedence over other aspects of life. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of keeping our focus on God and His goodness.
19 Our Fathers made a calf in Horeb and adored a molten image; 20 they exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bullock. 21 They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt, 22 wondrous 23 Then he spoke of exterminating them, but Moses, his chosen one, withstood him in the breach to turn back his destructive wrath. (Psalm 106:19-20, 21-22, 23)
In the vast expanse of life's grand tapestry, God's hand has woven miracles, for you and me. He saved us from the depths, lifted us high, under His watchful gaze, beneath the endless sky. His love, like a river, in its ceaseless flow transforms our lives, makes our spirits glow. In every heartbeat, in every breath, we feel His presence, in life and death. Let us remember, in every hour to give Him glory, to acknowledge His power. For it is He who guides us, in His infinite grace, in every moment, in every place. Beware the idols, the worldly allure, for God's love alone is pure and sure. Let not our hearts be led astray by the fleeting charms that come our way. For it is God who saved us, made us whole, His love is the balm that soothes the soul. So let us give Him glory, let our voices sing, of our loving God, our eternal King.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude. It is You who have saved us, performed miracles, and brought about transformative changes in our lives. We stand in awe of Your mighty works and Your unfailing love. We acknowledge that all glory is due to You, Lord. You are the source of our strength, our hope, and our salvation. We pledge not to exchange Your glory for any idol or worldly thing. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, to seek Your kingdom above all else. Lord, guide us in our daily lives. Help us to remember Your promises and Your goodness. May we always turn to You with a sincere heart and a repentant spirit, knowing that You are always ready to forgive us. Thank you, Lord, for Your unwavering love and steadfast promises. We pray that we may always find comfort and hope in them. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
The Book of Signs
WITNESSES TO JESUS
John 5:31-47
IV: The Dwelling and its Furnishings
THE GOLDEN CALF
Exodus 32:1-29
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
ISRAEL'S CONFESSION OF SIN
Psalm 106:1-48
Reflection Source:
Copilot in Edge
