relationships (Psalm 29:1-11) Finding Approval

(Psalm 29:1-11)   Ascribe to the Lord, sons of the mighty,

     Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2   Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
     Worship the Lord in holy attire.

3   The voice of the Lord is on the waters;
     The God of glory thunders,
     The Lord is over many waters.
4   The voice of the Lord is powerful,
     The voice of the Lord is majestic.
5   The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
     Yes, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon in pieces.
6   He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
     And Sirion like a young wild ox.
7   The voice of the Lord divides flames of fire.
8   The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
     The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9   The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth 
     And strips the forests bare;
     And in His temple everything says, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sat as King at the flood;
     Yes, the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people;
     The Lord will bless His people with peace.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In general, people desire and depend on a system of awards and rewards and recognition.  The world of business, sports, dance, music and acting hand out various accolades for all sorts of achievements.  In some sports, at the end of each game, honorable mentions are handed out immediately.  And now, in this technological day and age, never mind giving reviews after seeing a movie or eating at a restaurant, people are grading everything.  

With that, people want to get the five stars!  Kids will often respond to the star system from parents, teachers and coaches for doing something well - or - just simply doing as they were asked.  In fact, most kids are being taught that everyone should get a "star" - just because.  Women and girls (even men and boys) will spend a lot of time and money trying to look a certain way, not just to feel better about themselves, but let's be truthful, some people love to be complimented.

This is all not necessarily wrong.  God does understand us and our needs, and therefore, He promises His children that our rewards, treasures and inheritance are in heaven.  So, let's put this all into perspective.  

We are to strive to do our best, with righteous motives.  This includes loving God, and then loving people,  Understand that unconditional love does not mean that we approve of everything a person does or believes.  And, while it is not our place to make people do or believe the right things, we ourselves are to strive to do our best, in God's strength, love and wisdom...

(1 Corinthians 9:24-25)  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

We are not to flatter people, but encourage people and build them up in the Lord..

(Hebrews 10:24)  and let’s consider how to [a]encourage one another in love and good deeds

We are to strive to please God, not seeking out the approval of others...

(1 Thessalonians 2:4)   but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts. 

We are not to take the credit, but instead, ascribe honor and glory to the Lord, because He is worthy!

(1 Corinthians 10:31)  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.