Proverbs 27:14: He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted a curse to him.
Insight
I always tell this to young preachers when I am speaking in seminaries: “Young men, regardless of what church you go to, there will always be a dear saint in that church who will tell you what a wonderful preacher you are. Generally it is a sweet old lady; sometimes it is a man. The Lord puts them there to encourage young preachers. They will tell you that you are the greatest preacher they have ever heard. They will have you think you are another apostle Paul, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Billy Sunday, and Billy Graham all wrapped into one individual. It’s wonderful that such a person is there to encourage you, but don’t you believe what you hear. It’s not true.” A modern proverb goes something like this: Flattery is like perfume. The idea is to smell it, not swallow it. 1
Application
So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21–23
Meditate on this thought today: What is God’s opinion of me and do I give Him glory?
Motivation
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6
Let not the words of others dictate God’s plans and purposes for your life. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please teach me to be still in the morning and to hear from You first.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Proverbs) (electronic ed., Vol. 20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
