I Samuel 2:30

‘Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. “

DAILY READING – Mark 15:21-47; 1 Kings 11; Hosea 13

 

God will always honor those that honor Him. When our aim in life is to honor God in all that we do, then He will also honor us.

Eric Liddell was Scotland’s fastest runner in the 1920’s. He was also a Christian who always desired to honor God. At the 1924 Olympics in Paris, Eric was Scotland’s only hope of winning a gold medal in the 100-meter dash. However, few days to the race, Eric found out that it would take place on a Sunday. For Eric, Sunday was a day of worship and rest, and he wouldn’t miss Church, not even for an Olympic gold medal. When he announced that he would not run on a Sunday, it caused an uproar in Scotland. Many Scottish people were very upset with him and criticized him; some even called him a traitor. But Eric would not shift his stance. He decided rather to compete in 2 other races that would not take place on a Sunday; namely the 200 metres and the 400 metres races. Though he had not trained for these races and had little time to prepare, Eric believed God would help him.

Surprisingly, he qualified and won a bronze medal in the 200 meters race. But his country still needed a gold medal. The remaining race was the 400-meters, which no one thought he could win, because he was to compete against two runners who had already set world record times. To worsen matters, on the day of the race, Eric was assigned to the worst lane.

Though the situation looked discouraging, just before the race, a young Christian handed Eric a note, on which was written “1 Samuel 2:30, …’Those who honor Me I will honor.'”  Eric drew strength from this scripture, knowing that as he had honored God, God would in turn honor him. When the race started, Eric gave it his best shot. When he rounded the turn on the track, where all the runners usually come together, he expected to see the world record holders ahead of him. But he was surprised to find he was there alone. The two world record holders were behind him. Eric crossed the finish line first, setting a new world record and winning the gold medal! His country was jubilant. When Eric returned back to Scotland, he received a hero’s welcome. The newspapers, which had criticized him earlier, were now applauding him.

Eric’s life story is captured in the award winning movie ‘Chariots of Fire’.  Through this movie, the story of Eric Liddell is told all over the world. And his devotion to God has touched the hearts of millions of people. Indeed for living a life that honored God, God has also honored Eric.

I Samuel 2:30 says ‘Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith… for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. ”

 

To honor God, means making Him top priority in our lives.

Living a life that seeks to honor God, may sometimes come with a price. .  People may criticize you and say things against you. Eric was criticized and jeered at by his countrymen. In the story of Joseph, he was thrown into prison for his decision to honor God by not committing adultery. But in the end, we also saw how  God honored Joseph by giving him the highest ranking position in Egypt.

When we decide to do what is right in honor of God, we may become  unpopular. People may term us ‘too spiritual’ or even ‘fanatical’. But no matter what anyone may think, we have to decide to always give God first place.

When Daniel purposed in His heart to follow God, he faced consequences. When he decided to pray to God despite the king’s commandment he was thrown into the Lions’ den. But God delivered him from all his troubles and caused him to be promoted as the ruler over the province of Babylon.

Psalm 91:14-15 says “Because he loves me,” says the LORD , “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

When we love God and seek to always honor Him, God ensures our deliverance from troubles. Though initially, it may not be easy going against the tide, as we seek to do what is right, in the end God rewards us for honoring Him. When others are exalting sin and promoting unrighteousness, it may not be easy to decide to live a life of purity and holiness. When others are compromising and dining at the tables of Babylon, it may not be easy to purpose not to defile yourself with the king’s meat. But whatever we may suffer for the sake of Christ, God says He will give us double for all our troubles.

Isaiah 61:7 says ” Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. ”

Whatever you do in honor of God, He ensures you are rewarded in the end.  God has not called the sons of Jacob to seek Him in vain. For honoring God, He will separate you from what afflicts others. Your case will be different.  God will bless your bread, and water; and take sickness away from you.

You never lose by honoring God. For Eric Liddell, though it looked initially like he was going to lose by honoring God, we also saw how in the end, God lifted him and caused him to be celebrated. In the same way, as you decide today to always honor God in all you do, God will surely see to it that men also honor and celebrate you..

 

PRAYER; Lord, please help me to always make You top priority in all my decisions. May I never be ashamed of You before men. Grant me the grace to always honor You, by living a life that glorifies You before men in Jesus Name. 

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God is preparing you for the season He prepared for your breakthrough WORDBITE 222.

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK OPEN HEAVENS]