Text: Revelation 4:2-11
Memory text:
“and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 1:6 NKJV
We rob God of His glory when we pour praise on people without acknowledging God in the praise and ignorantly lay a deadly trap for them. Rather than being a blessing, we become a curse and a stumbling block. According to Acts 12:20-25, the people of Tyre and Sidon came to King Herod to request a peace treaty. At that time, Herod’s kingdom supplied them food. So, on the next day, while he gave a speech, the people raised their voices, saying, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Like Lucifer wanted to do, these people raised Herod into the position of God, stripped God of His glory, and gave it to Herod!
No mortal or created being deserves the praise that Herod was given. David acknowledged God, even after giving abundantly for the building of the temple (I Chro 29:11-14). Paul admonished, “..whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor 10:31).
Our memory text shows that God made us whom we are. He’s working in us to do His will (Phil 2:13).
Unfortunately, the pride in Herod’s heart didn’t make him recognize the praise as a trap. Rather, he accepted it and fell into it. Human recognition became divine judgment! He was struck down immediately. History is still silently repeating itself today, and men are not aware!
I once read of a story of how a man of God escaped this trap when the congregation he had gone to minister, in appreciation of his ministry, publicly presented a gift of a beautiful crown to him. Seeing this, he instantly and thankfully rejected it and responded that God alone must be crowned! According to our text, in heaven, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fall down and cast their crowns before Him that sits on the throne, saying, ““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”” (Rev 4:11).
Friends, be careful not to leave God out of a compliment as that will mean withholding the praise that He deserves for creating and gifting that person. God made us to be kingdom of priests and He is the one who is working in us. We didn’t create ourselves, and we can do nothing without Him. When we center our honour on man, we fail to recognize God’s work in such a life, and we fan his pride and pitch him against his Maker. May your compliments not become a stumbling block and a death trap for others, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer points
1. Father, please, let me never give Your glory to anyone nor let my compliment be a curse, a stumbling block, or a death trap for others, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, help me to be spiritually sensitive and to refuse human compliments that are death traps, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. Compliments that don’t acknowledge God are death traps. Therefore, I will instantly reject them and do what is right.
2. As I appreciate other’s kindness, I recognize God as being behind the kindness, lest I fan their pride and become a curse to them.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng