Mid-Week Encouragement

The Truth of Calvary

“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!” –Psalm 79:9

Narcissism. We may not have all heard this term, but we have all been infected, yes infected, as well as affected by it. This term “narcissism” comes from a character in Greek mythology that was extremely handsome, named Narcissus. As the story goes, Narcissus looked into a pool of water and fell in love with his own reflection. He could not stop admiring himself and wasted away his life staring into this pool, eventually turning into a flower. Narcissus was obviously a fictitious character, but whoever created him understood just how self-centered we as human beings are. Today, narcissism is defined as an inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; or vanity.

This verse, Psalm 79:9 is just one of many verses in Scripture which points to giving God the glory; making God bigger and us lesser. I like this verse because it says “for your name’s sake!” The Psalmist is asking God to save him not for his own sake, but for God’s sake. He wants God to get ALL the glory. Where has this idea gone today?!

Take a second to think about what you hear about Jesus in a normal day. Turn on the radio, open your email account or turn on the television and you are bound to hear things like: “Jesus thought about you on the cross” “Follow Jesus and good things will happen in your life” or my favorite one “Forward this email to 10 people and God will cause things to work in your favor!” This is what narcissism has done to us. We are so self-centered we fail to recognize the truth of Calvary; Jesus’ death on the cross was ALL about glorifying God and executing Christ’s perfect obedience to his Father.

It feels good to think that Jesus thought about me on the cross (narcissism), but it feels infinitely better knowing all He could think about was pleasing His Father. What Jesus did on Calvary was His own choice. He could have easily avoided it, but He endured it. Please do not miss how great this is! Don’t be like Narcissus and waste away your life looking at the cross thinking it was about you. Be like Jesus and give all of yourself to God’s glory. As the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:20, “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

Stay Encouraged.