Whose Glory Are You Chasing?
OPENING PRAYER:
Jesus, search my heart and reveal where I've been seeking applause instead of Your approval. Help me live for an audience of One, finding my worth in who You say I am rather than what others think of me.
David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.'" 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)
As David faced Goliath, his declaration wasn't about proving himself or making a name for himself. Every word pointed beyond himself to God. In a culture where warriors boasted of their own strength and victories, David made it clear: this isn't about me; it's about making God's power known.
REFLECT:
ikes people to think he's good. That's a vulnerable confession, and if we're honest, we all feel it. We want to be seen as competent, successful, impressive. We want people to affirm us, to notice what we've accomplished. But the question Rodney asked cut through all of that: "Is it for God's glory or is it for mine?"
He shared a story from about a year and a half into leading the Goddard campus. They'd had their biggest baptism Sunday ever, and people started walking up to him saying things like, "You're pretty amazing. You're such a great leader. You're doing such an amazing thing." And he confessed that for a moment, that he let his ego get inflated. The pride and arrogance built. Then a mentor who'd been watching pulled him aside and said, "It was a great Sunday. But don't forget who you're doing this for. Glory to God."
What hit me about this story is how easy it is to lose our way. We can start with pure motives, genuinely wanting to serve Jesus, and then people affirm us and we start believing it's about us. Rodney said that even with people looking at him now, he prayed before getting up to preach, "God, your glory and not mine." That's the daily battle—choosing to reflect praise back to God instead of absorbing it ourselves. David understood this. He could have used Goliath to launch his career, to make a name for himself. Instead, he made it about God's reputation. He said the whole world would know there is a God in Israel—not that there's a shepherd boy who's pretty good with a sling.
APPLY:
Pay attention this week to how you respond when someone praises you or when you accomplish something. Do you deflect it back to God, or do you absorb it? Practice saying (out loud or internally), "That was God's grace, not my strength." Write down one area where you've been chasing recognition instead of God's glory and ask Him to reorient your heart.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will be faithful in private, trusting God for tomorrow's battles.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, forgive me for the times I've taken credit that belongs to You. Thank You for every good thing You've done through me, even when I've been too proud to acknowledge it was You. Teach me to live for Your approval alone, finding my identity in who You say I am rather than the applause of others.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.