Daily Devotional April 11, 2023

This year for Easter, our worship services were dramatically different because there was no sermon.  Instead, our magnificent choir, accompanied by a very talented orchestra, presented COME to the CROSS and REMEMBER.  It was beautiful.

What I didn’t expect happened after the services were over.

After the first service, Brian walked up, shook my hand, and said, “That was the best sermon you have ever preached.”  Everyone standing behind Brian agreed.  I was hurt.

After the second service, the same thing happened.  So many people affirmed I had preached my greatest sermon, there are too many names to mention because I try to keep the Daily Devotionals to one page.  Needless to say, I was hurt.

Then the texts started coming.

Dee texted during the worship service, “Best sermon ever!  Pilgrim and I might stay away for this.”

Allison texted, “From Andrew: ‘That was magical.  We should do music instead of the sermon every Sunday.’ Bless him.”

There were others.  I was hurt.

This got me thinking.

There are times when I let mean, hurtful, painful, insensitive, negative, thoughtless, inconsiderate, uncaring, callous, distressing, upsetting, troublesome words get to me.

Does it really matter what others think about my great sermons?

Paul said, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.  You know that you will receive an inheritance as a reward. You serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

The bottom line is the only opinion that truly matters is God’s.  

Choose today to live your life serving the One who created, redeemed, and sustains you.  God is the one who matters.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, there are times when my priorities are wrong, and I work to please others instead of you.  Forgive me.  I want everything I do to be pleasing to you.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Now that I’ve had a few minutes to think it through, I think the reason all those millions and millions of people told me last Sunday was my greatest sermon was because they were in shock.

It makes sense because they came to church expecting to hear me preach and it didn’t happen.

Next Sunday I will make up for it.

Also, if there are any pastors reading this devotional, I’ve got some church members I’d like to send your way.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins