“O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah” Psalm 4:2
Devotion:
At times, the world appears upside down, especially when others around us oppose God’s ways. His ways are righteous and true, fostering life and health. It’s challenging to find peace when others push us in a different direction.
David understood the honor in pursuing God’s righteousness. Seeking God’s face and obeying His law were right and good. Yet, as David tried to follow God, he faced shame from others. He observed that the values of those around him were hollow and meaningless, contrasting with the eternal weight of living for God’s glory.
No one experienced this more deeply than Jesus. Despite His perfect righteousness, Jesus faced mockery and shame from those around Him.
When we align with Jesus, we share in His shame, along with all who love Him like David did. Yet, it’s Christ’s example, strength, and testimony that sustain us. He teaches us how to navigate the shame and lies of others, reminding us to cling to God, whose honor is eternally significant. Those who follow Jesus will not be put to shame in the end.
Prayer:
Father, we need to express to You how difficult it is to live for You while others mock us. It is so challenging to move foward with opposition all around. But even as we express this challenge to You, we pray in hope that You will stand by our side.
Help us to look to Jesus as an example and for our strength. He is our rock. If it means shame and disgrace for clinging to Him, we want to embrace it completely.
While we pray for strength, we also ask that you would fill us with a passion for Your truth. We don’t want to be led astray. Put a desire for eternal things in our hearts that we might live for Your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, we worship and pray.
Amen.
