7 Minute Read + Scripture readings

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

Ezekiel 10:1–11:25
Hebrews 6:1-20
Psalm 105:16-36
Proverbs 27:1-2

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Proverbs 27:2 (CSB): “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth — a stranger, and not your own lips.”

‭‭REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today is really easy to understand, isn’t it? Don’t brag about yourself. If it happens, let someone else do it.

Yet, as Jesus-followers, we are influencers (we are salt and light [Matthew 5:13-16]). We don’t sit back and wait for things to happen. We are the initiators. So, let’s talk about actively praising others.

We all like to be praised, don’t we? We like it when someone sees something valuable in us and verbalizes it.

When I think of public praise, I can’t help but think back to the time that is recounted in Scripture when John the Baptist was discouraged. He was sitting in a prison and second-guessing whether or not Jesus was truly the Messiah. He believed in Jesus … but he needed reassurances. So, John sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus for reaffirmation.

Matthew 11:2-3 (CSB): “Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples and asked him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'”

‭John had already proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah, “the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It was simply that John was severely discouraged. His faith was faltering as he sat in a prison cell. He needed assurances.

So, if you read Matthew 11:4-6, you will hear as Jesus answer John’s question. He gives John’s disciples enough information to build his faith.

But, John needed more than information. He was discouraged and needed to be built up. His problem wasn’t so much cognitive as it was emotional and spiritual. He needed powerful words of encouragement and praise.

It doesn’t go unnoticed how Jesus responded to John’s disciples. In Matthew’s account, Jesus used 3 verses to answer John’s question. Yet, he used 9 verses (3 times as many) to encourage and praise John.

And here’s how it played out. Jesus gave John’s disciples proof of His identity. He gave them an answer to their question. But, as they were walking away, Jesus raised His voice to talk to the crowds, easily within earshot of John’s disciples. They would have clearly heard what Jesus was saying as they were departing.

This is a lengthy text but listen to how Jesus praised John, intending for John’s disciples to hear it so that they could go back and encourage a discouraged man in prison.

Matthew 11:7-15 (NLT): “As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. ‘What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.” I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”

Wow! Jesus said that there was no one greater than John in the Kingdom of God (where greatness is measured by humility and service). He said that John was the promised “Elijah” that had been foretold in the Old Testament. And he had faithfully fulfilled his duty.

Can you see the scene in your mind’s eye? As John’s disciple’s heard Jesus talking about their teacher, they would have walked slower and may have even stopped to listen. Then, when Jesus finished, they would have picked up the pace, maybe ran, to tell John those powerful words that Jesus had just said about him in front of the large, gathered crowd.

I imagine that the discouraged prophet would have listened to what those disciples said. As they recounted the words of Jesus with excitement, I can imagine that John would have had a refreshing smile slowly creep across his face. His heart would have been warmed. It would have felt so good to hear that affirmation. It is exactly what his soul so desperately needed in those moments.

Friend, you have the power within your own mouth to build up or to tear down today. You can say things that will discourage others or you can say things so powerful and positive that it could change the course of their life.

Why not choose to praise people today. Don’t wait on others to praise you. Insecure, self-centered people will rarely ever praise you. So, ask God’s Holy Spirit to help you praise them. Who knows how it could help someone who may desperately need those words today.

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