Today I am learning a lesson in humility. It is only natural for humans to seek their own glory. Therefore, as Christians we have to fight to seek the glory of God instead. In friendship I am finding that I sometimes want others to sing my praises, to acknowledge how great a friend I am. Yet any love or encouragement I am able to give a friend is from the Lord, and He alone is worthy to receive the glory. If I am loving others with the love of Christ, I should be pointing them to Him.
God has used Malachi 3:6-10 to humble me in this: “For I, the LORD Yahweh, never change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers, you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you, says Yahweh Tsebaoth (the LORD of hosts). But you say, ‘How shall we return? Will man rob God?’ Yet you are robbing Me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says Yahweh Tsebaoth. See if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
I realize this passage is talking about tithes and contributions – money. However, God expects us to give every part of ourselves to Him. Seeking our own glory is selfish and only leads to disappointment and emptiness. It is in seeking the glory of the LORD Almighty that we are filled with joy. He is God and deserves our every praise. Wholly surrendered to Yahweh Ra’ah, our good Shepherd who will provide for our every need and pour down blessings upon us, we can truly say, “I am never in need.” (Psalm 23:1)
May my heart truly rejoice when God receives the glory, for it is His work! “Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:3-4