Approval or Favor?

Approval or Favor?
In today's reading of the One Year Bible in 1 Samuel 15, we read the story of Saul's actions that result in God finding and anointing David as king. At first glance, especially after reading verse 12 and its comments on Saul building a monument to himself, it looks like Saul has pride issues. But we find the real issue when God says in verse 17 that Saul "thinks too little of himself." God sees his heart and knows that insecurity is Saul's issue. It is that insecurity that taints every decision he makes, and eventually leads to his destruction. He seeks the approval of men and is even willing to sacrifice his relationship with God for it. How many times do we sacrifice the great life Jesus came to give us for the approval of men? How many times do we compromise on decisions we have made in order to please others? The approval of others is so fickle and requires hard work to maintain. It is a life filled with pressure and mistakes because what pleases others changes with every person and every day. What pleased someone today may not be what pleases them tomorrow. Whew, makes me tired just thinking about it! Thank God, Jesus is the same--yesterday, today and tomorrow. No guesswork, no pressure, just the pursuit of a great relationship. The Bible teaches that we should be seeking favor instead of approval. Luke 2:52 teaches us that if we find favor with God, we will find favor with men. Favor with God is found in Jesus--it is a gift. Walking in that favor simply means being what God designed and destined me to be--not becoming, but being. Not working to accomplish it, just being. It's not something I do, it is what I am. Instead of reading the Bible to gain God's favor, I read the Bible because I have God's favor. Instead of pursuing good works to gain God's favor, I do good works because I have God's favor. Approval is not the same as favor. Favor is influence. Even people who do not approve of my decision to follow God will give me influence because of those decisions. No pressure cooker life that requires me to jump through hoops to please others. Just a great life walking with my King and experiencing favor. And here's the kicker, not only do I have God's favor, I have his approval. What a great life!