John 12:42-43
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
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Eternal and Righteous God,
Thank You for
opening the eyes of my heart to see my faults and shortcomings. Have
mercy on me! I'm as guilty as the legalist Jewish leaders of the early
church. I call myself a Christian in my heart, but am afraid to admit it
in front of people. I too, love the praise of man more than praise from
You. The truth is, I rarely think of pleasing You.
Frightened
of losing my prestigious place in the community, I temporarily hide my
faith in the closet where I can conveniently access it when I need it
during a crisis. People might think I'm a fool, ignoring and criticizing
me, if I admit I'm Your follower, so I conceal it. I want to be liked
and respected by everyone. A people pleaser, I'm too scared of ridicule
to stand out and publicly acknowledge the great distance You went and
the exorbitant price You paid to save me. Forgive me, O God for I have
sinned against You.
I refuse to speak up,
terrorized by the thought that I won't communicate clearly and will look
stupid before my family and friends. I fear being rejected by them more
than I fear eternal separation from You. I admit that I'm a coward and
plead with You to pardon me for being more concerned with what others
will think of me than about disobeying, dishonoring, and disrespecting
You.
O Lord, will you kindly change my timid heart? Fill me with
fresh power to boldly proclaim the Way, the Truth and the Life right
where You've placed me even if it means I'll offend someone. You're not
interested in my popularity; You're concerned about rescuing dead and
decomposing lives buried beneath the rubble of sin and shame. Whenever I
open my mouth to speak, please give me the right words to confidently
communicate the message of Your amazing love. O Lord, help me to get my
eyes off myself and love others enough to risk my life and reputation to
save them for the glory of Your name. Amen.
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Are you like me,
afraid to share your faith for fear of rejection and ridicule from
family and friends? If so, Jesus has some strong words for us: "If
anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge
that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on
earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven." Matthew
10:32-33 NLT
Jesus stood in stark contrast to this Pharisaic concern. He did not show favoritism; instead he reached out to male and female, rich and poor, and all races and ages. His teaching was not done by first taking a poll of what was popular; instead, he spoke truth that was often unpopular but could penetrate the heart. - Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small
Jesus stood in stark contrast to this Pharisaic concern. He did not show favoritism; instead he reached out to male and female, rich and poor, and all races and ages. His teaching was not done by first taking a poll of what was popular; instead, he spoke truth that was often unpopular but could penetrate the heart. - Ed Welch, When People Are Big and God Is Small
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