“The Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.” 1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV
“To God, why you do what you do is every bit as important as what you do.”
My thoughts today are about “the applause of One.”
As a young pastor, I read a story that profoundly shaped the way I wanted to live my life and conduct ministry. It was of a young musical protégé accepted as a student by the most highly recognized concert pianist of his time. After years of discipline, the young pianist was to perform at Carnegie Hall, New York City, the most prestigious concert stage in the U.S. since 1891. After each piece, the applause grew greater, but he scarcely paused to acknowledge the applause filling the auditorium. He simply poured himself into the next musical piece.
Though unnoticed by most, he seemed to look to the corner of a distant balcony, each time playing the subsequent selection with even greater ability and musical excellence. When he had given his best effort, he stood to gratefully accept the standing ovation. No one else would have noticed, but finally, he had seen the renowned maestro among the crowd, his piano teacher standing, enthusiastically leading the exuberant applause. It was enough when he knew he had pleased the master to whom he owed his every success, in that moment and and forever after!
This story begs the question from any of us, “Who are you living to please?” Some live to please others; others seem satisfied to please only themselves. I suggest you determine that you will live your life to please God, above and before any and all others.
I am thankful for whatever the acknowledgement and appreciation of others may be, but I want my life to be lived for the applause of just One, the Lord Jesus! At the end of your life, His “well done” excels all others. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord, not for men . . it is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV. Read 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 NIV.
There are times that you may not know your own heart, even when you think you do. Jeremiah asked, “The heart . . who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 NIV. A person will occasionally do the wrong things for the right reasons, but that does not make what they have done to be right. At other times that person might do the right things for the wrong reason, usually surprised when that turns out wrong.
The Pharisees were like the latter. They adored the wrong audience. Everything they did was for public applause rather than personal devotion. They did wonderful, religious things like prayer, fasting, and giving generously, but Jesus observed that they did it for others’ recognition – to be seen, rewarded, and admired. They were people busy with the right things but for all the wrong reasons. Read Matthew 6:1-8/16-18 NIV. Jesus weighed their actions, commending what they did but condemning their motive for doing so. Don’t be a Pharisee. Read Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV.
To God, why you do what you do is every bit as important as what you do. There is an important understanding of God given in the story of Samuel’s anointing a king for Judah. “Man looks upon the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart!” 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV. God is not impressed with the superficial. He deals with substance, what’s true and real.
“The Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed . . I, the Lord, search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” 1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV/Jeremiah 17:10 NIV. God always looks upon the heart; He knows your true motives, even when you may not. There is a joy to being clean before Him.
My prayer for you today is that you walk with a pure and open heart before God.