We all love appreciations and awards. How about getting appreciated by God himself. Today we will go through a few people in the bible who are directly appreciated by God.
Moses :
Moses spent his one-third of his life in shepherding the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. During that process, he stood before the Lord on several occasion and pleaded the case of Israelites and directly took God’s anger on him. When his own brother Aaron and Sister Miriam spoke against him God intervened directly and gave his testimony for Moses. What testimony it was!!
When there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions,
I speak to them in dreams.
But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD. – Num 12: 6-8
Is it possible for God to give such a testimony on our life? God says Moses is a faithful man in all my house. Are we faithful to God like Moses?
Job :
Job chapter one talks about the greatest man among all the people east ( Job 1:3). The scene depicts the court of heaven where the angels of God and even Satan was also there. God asks this question to Satan :
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” – Job 1:8
He declares Job is blameless and upright before Satan. Satan leaves God’s presence and takes away all the procession Job had.
The scene repeats in chapter 2. This time God again praises Job before everyone in the court. God praises Job’s integrity in spite he is been ruined without any reason.
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” Job 2:3
Isn’t it a great honor to be praised by God in his court? Isn’t it better than anything other praises we can get on earth?
Nathanael:
It was Philip who got the call from Jesus when Jesus was about to leave Galilee. Philip went to Nathanael and told him that he found the Messiah. Thought Nathanael approached Jesus with doubt in his heart, Jesus surprised him by telling him who he is and where he found him.
Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit – John 1:47
Jesus had no hesitation in revealing the double-minded habits of the people. He has used sharp terms as Whitewashed tombs, snakes, and vipers against Pharisees. It should have been a great pleasure for Nathanael to get appreciation directly from Jesus a man without deceit.
Centurion – Without a name
In Matthew 8 we read about a Centurion, whose name is not given. He came to Jesus and requested for the healing of his servant. He strongly believed if Jesus says a word his servant will be healed. As a Centurion he understood the model of authority and fully believed, Jesus had the authority to heal the sick. Jesus was amazed at his faith and called him a man with great faith.
Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. – Matthew 8:10
Canaanite Woman – Without a name
Interesting god used the word great faith twice in Gospel, both the times it was nameless people and gentiles (Centurion and Canaanite Women). He used the world little faith multiple times. Most of them attributed to his disciples.
For a long time, the Canaanite woman followed Jesus and called for his mercy Even his disciples were irritated. Finally, she came knelt before Jesus and pleaded her case with Jesus, His heart was moved. He called her a woman of great faith.
“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. – Matthew 8:28
Do we have the faith of Canaanite woman and Centurion in our life?
Jesus Christ
Jesus was appreciated by God the father when he took the baptism and during the transfiguration on a high mountain. The Father declared how highly pleased he was Jesus. Both of them have a perfect union and Jesus perfectly fulfilled the will of the Father.
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:17
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!” – Matthew 17:5
Can we analyze our heart and find out, if God is pleased with us?
There could be high honors in the worldly positions, medals, and riches. But it can not replace the honor that comes from God. Our life should focus on the honor that comes from God, which is everlasting, more precious and glorious than all the earthly trophies.
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