The praise of fellow man is often sweet and sincere, but must always be taken in moderation. We don’t want to become the victim of flattery (Provers 29:5). We don’t want to be puffed up. We don’t want to get so fond of praise that we are motivated to work simply to hear more praise.
Besides, we never know if the one showering with praise is qualified to judge. Often, “that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). If a three-year-old tells me I’ve made the world’s best pie, I might blush and thank her, but also think twice before entering it in the State Fair.
Self-aggrandizement is always suspicious. “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).
But when praise comes from God, it can be trusted!
God knows the heart perfectly. “The LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). “The Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9). The only commendation that truly matters is what God says. Let’s consider a few individuals who received God’s praise.
God complimented Enoch: “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God” (Hebrews 11:5). It doesn’t surprise me when a person wants to spend eternity with God, but it never ceases to amaze me that God wants to spend eternity with any of us! Enoch got his invitation early.
God complimented Noah: “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time” (Genesis 7:1). The world may find my behavior off-putting or “goody two-shoes.” But if it finds favor with God, it leads to the salvation of my household. Noah’s family was the only family God desired to bring from the old world into the new.
God complimented Abraham. “Abraham … was called the friend of God” (James 2:23). One must be careful not to think of God as a mere pal—we will never be His equal. But God had a deep bond with Abraham that went beyond the relationship of a cold master and a nameless servant.
God complimented Job: “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8). Job’s life was an extreme example I don’t necessarily wish to experience; nevertheless, may all of us be found glorifying God on the day when God and our Adversary have a discussion about us.
God complimented David: “The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people” (1 Samuel 13:14). Saul, despite being more royal in outward appearance, did not honor God. Though his own parents overlooked David, he was just what God was looking for.
God complimented Lazarus: “Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, ‘See how He loved him!’ ” (John 11:35-36). Jesus loves every person. But His love for Lazarus was expressed differently than His love for, say, Judas. This little family in Bethany who so often hosted the Savior meant so much to Him.
Let’s end with what may be God’s greatest compliment, when God gave us the right to wear His name. God designated “Christian”—that is, follower of Christ—as the identifier for believers (1 Peter 4:16; Acts 11:26). This is so much more than a store giving an employee a nametag. This is adoption and inclusion into His family, blessing with an eternal inheritance. This is God staking His reputation on us. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
—John Guzzetta