
Today's Reading: Psalm 111-112
Psalm 112:6 (ESV) "For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever."
I have a confession: Deep down, I struggle with wanting to be noticed by others. However, I am learning that when I take my place in the limelight, it fails to quench my insatiable desire for love and total acceptance of who I am. Can you relate?
I believe we think the road to happiness is paved with exceptional accomplishments or irresistible looks. We constantly compare ourselves to other women who seemingly have it all together, and then we strive for self-improvement.
But what if we've got it all wrong? What if joy and true satisfaction come from looking to God's perfection rather than obsessing over correcting our flaws?
In Psalm 111-112, the psalmist exalts God for His majesty and incredible works, and he praises those who fear God. These chapters reveal that when we choose to study and praise God rather than pursue self-importance, God sees us and rewards us with His favor.
How can we reunite with this unwavering confidence in God's affections toward us?
These biblical and practical guidelines clarify that seeing ourselves as God sees us isn't about neglecting or forgetting oneself; it's about dying to selfish ambitions and cravings for glory so that our lives will glorify God. (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 14:27) After all, God's glory — His recognition — is the chief end of man and the ultimate path to our highest satisfaction in life. (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 107:9)
While we may strongly desire the acknowledgment of others, God longs to fill our need for love and acceptance as we recognize Him. (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 37:4) When we labor for worldly lovers, comparison and perfectionism blind us from seeing the truth: We are already infinitely loved and valuable to God. (1 John 3:1; Romans 5:8)
God doesn't want our long list of accomplishments or impeccable looks; He just wants us. We don't have to be celebrities, gold-medal winners, ideal wives, supermodels or accomplished career women to receive the Creator's blessings and favor.
So let's respond to and abide in God's perfect love by meditating on the great works He has performed in our lives, giving Him thanks with our whole hearts. (Psalm 111:1)
Prayer: God, we praise You for Your majesty and remarkable works. We praise You that we are fully known and loved by You. When we are tempted to obsess over our flaws, help us recall that we don't have to strive to be noticed by others because Your love and favor meet all of our needs. In Jesus' name, amen.
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