Devotions based on the weekly sermon will resume on August 2, 2021.
Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published: November 2, 2012 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
Psalm 22:22-23
I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
“LIKE” the Lord!
A good referral has always been a good thing. But referrals used to move relatively slowly, one personal conversation to the next. Now in a matter of seconds, hundreds of positive or negative evaluations of one’s person, work or business can flood the pages of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. A business can rise or fall on the social media’s ranking realm. As a result and for better ratings, businesses encourage you to “LIKE” their page so they get more positive recognition and thus a trustworthy reputation.
How many “LIKE’s” do you think the Lord Jesus would receive?
The writer of Psalm 22 had nothing by “LIKE’s” to give for the one about whom he wrote. This Psalm is packed with prophetic statements about the Lord Jesus and his suffering on the cross for the sins of the world, your sins, too. Having stated these realities in the first verses of the Psalm, the inspired author writes, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.” Why wouldn’t he “LIKE” the Lord Jesus? He was forsaken by God for his sins (Psalm 22:1-2)? He suffered instead of him (Psalm 22:7-8, 12-18)? He took care of his salvation!
Like a Facebook friend who encourages you to like their page or business profile and encourage others to do the same, the writer then encourages all of Israel praise the name of the LORD. Jesus was not just the suffering Savior for the writer, but also for the world.
Unfortunately, in our society, Jesus doesn’t get the praise and “LIKE’s” that he deserves. People feel like following him cramps their style. Individuals push him aside like an outdated history book. In the name of political correctness, Christ is seen as too offensive. Unfortunately those that do this are missing out on the benefit Jesus came to secure – paying for their sins and the sins of the world. It is a big mistake to not “LIKE” Jesus!
Regardless of what others do, let the reader of this devotion “LIKE” the Savior all the more and encourage others to do the same. He is worth of our trust, our faith and our lives.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to this earth to lead a perfect life in our place and suffer separation from God for us. We praise you for your unending love and your overwhelming grace that you should “LIKE” us! Lead us in every arena of life to praise you and encourage others to do the same. AMEN