“I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds praised most, while the cranks, misfits, and malcontents praised least. The good critics found something to praise in many imperfect works; the bad ones continually narrowed the list of books we might be allowed to read. The healthy and unaffected man, even if luxuriously brought up and widely experienced in good cookery, could praise a very modest meal: the dyspeptic and the snob found fault with all. Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere, praise almost seems to be inner health made audible.”
(C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms)
If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not trustworthy. There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. . . .How can you believe when you accept each other’s praise and do not look for the praise that comes from the only God?
(John 5:44, ISV)
And so they accused Jesus. . .
He gave a simple fact:
“I cannot be my own witness.
And yet . . .
there is One
who does testify
in my favor.”
It was true for Jesus,
and because of Jesus
it is true for me.
And here is where his story presses on mine.
Even when someone speaks
in my favor,
it only counts
if it agrees with the truth.
Like John was a brief light
to shine on Jesus,
even these witnesses
only matter
when they support
a weightier
Witness.
The true Witness
gives a will to the worker,
gives a word to the messenger,
and that is his testimony
to his servant.
The true Witness
has a real voice,
uses the Scripture well,
and overcomes death
with life.
But
we refuse.
Rather than accept
God’s love for us
in our hearts,
we accept the praise
of people
as the only real
testimony,
looking for love there.
We leave the Father
who longs to praise us
as his children.
And what child
does not seek
his father’s
praise?
Perhaps this is how
we know who
we belong to—
where we seek our praise.
Are we children of
this world,
trusting passions
as our guides?
Are we children of
the Father of lights,
seeking His praise,
just like our older
brother Jesus?
He is full of praise,
while this world
lives on criticism
and skepticism.
When we seek praise
from the world,
we will only find ourselves
accused.
And why not?
Our systems are mostly run
by the Accuser—
naming worth,
assessing value,
handing out praise
only to take it away.
Jesus is full of the praise
of God
and of us.
He does not let
a smoldering wick
go out.
He does not let
a bruised reed
snap.
is his praise:
water in a dry land,
manna in the desert,
a strong hand to hold us up
when we are going under.
Oh, seek his praise!
Seek his praise!
Then this childhood we live will be full
of wonder and delight,
Epiphany Experience
So our year begins.
How many of our resolutions
seek the world’s applause?
How many of our inner promises
are born out of the fear
of rejection and abandonment?
Isn’t this just another way
of seeking the praise of people?
What if we sought out
a kind Father to please?
What if our nature
demands such seeking?
What if our nature
inevitably forms
around such praise?
We need to seek God’s praise
because it is true.
We may also need to seek
God’s praise
because it is formative—
helping us to grow up in love
rather than tearing us down
through lies, distrust,
and empty flattery.
Today, quietly write down
three or four praise-worthy things
about your life—
small or large,
obvious or easily overlooked.
Think about gifts and opportunities
you have received
gratefully and whole-heartedly.
By welcoming God
and his goodness
into your life,
you will find God’s praise.
Live in these things
even as you live
for these things.
Prayer
Gentle Father,
Your praise comes
as we live
in your goodness:
the truth of it,
the rightness of it,
and the beauty of it.
Save us from our accusers—
within us and around us—
who wrongly define
what is praise-worthy
and then beat us
over the head with it,
molding us into this world’s
wickedness,
loneliness,
and mockery.
Lord, let your praise
be on our lips:
the praise of you,
the praise that comes from you.
Let it transform us
into the likeness of Jesus,
full of peace, love, and joy.
Amen.
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