What a wonderful blessing it is to be commended by God! Sometimes we are commended by people only to find that we are condemned by them later. People change so quickly; they can be our friends one day and turn against us the same day. Some of the greatest hurt comes from those whom we believed loved us only to find later that the love was superficial. Always seek to win God’s approval because He never changes. In 2 Corinthians 10:18, we find these words:

“When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.”

Paul warns the false apostles and the Corinthians that man’s self-commendation has no value. The only verdict that really matters is the one that the Lord gives in Matthew 25:21 (KJV) “Well done thou good and faithful servant…”  Paul was not one who boasted, but rather he sought to serve the Lord. Paul was criticized on every hand. But, he also knew that God had called him, chosen him and saved him. His heart’s desire was to please the Lord even as he was preparing for death. We hear him say in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight …I have kept the faith.” He knew there was a final reward, not just for him, but for all who endured to the end. May we always strive to seek God’s divine approval. May our heart’s desire be that we be commended by God.