Finding Freedom in God's Unseen Recognition and Justice
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unseen Recognition
In our lives, we often seek validation and recognition from those around us. However, there are times when our efforts and good deeds seem to go unnoticed, leaving us feeling unappreciated. It is in these moments that we must remember that God sees every act of love and kindness we perform. This divine recognition is a profound source of comfort and motivation, reminding us that our efforts are never in vain when done with a heart mindful of God. Jesus assures us in Matthew 6:4 that our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us. This assurance encourages us to continue doing good, knowing that God values our unseen efforts. [02:05]
"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do." (Hebrews 6:10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent act of kindness you performed that went unnoticed. How can you find comfort in knowing that God sees and values your efforts?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Justice
When we face unjust treatment or persecution, it is natural to feel the urge to seek vengeance. However, Romans 12 teaches us to trust in God's justice rather than taking matters into our own hands. By leaving room for God's wrath, we allow Him to repay those who wrong us. This trust in divine justice enables us to continue loving and serving others, even when we are wronged. It frees us from the burden of bitterness and allows us to live lives of grace and love. [06:18]
"Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." (Proverbs 20:22, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone who has wronged you that you need to release to God's justice? How can you begin to let go of the desire for vengeance today?
Day 3: Freedom from Self-Pity
Self-pity and bitterness can weigh us down, preventing us from living the joyful and purposeful lives God intends for us. By remembering God and being conscious of His presence, we can lay down these burdens and embrace a life of love and grace. This perspective liberates us, enabling us to live free from the shackles of resentment. As we focus on God's goodness and His plans for us, we find the strength to rise above our circumstances and reflect His love to the world. [07:46]
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel trapped in self-pity? How can you shift your focus to God's presence and promises today?
Day 4: Assurance of God's Perfect Justice
God promises to reward our unseen good deeds and avenge the wrongs done to us. This assurance allows us to live joyfully and purposefully, knowing that He will settle all accounts with absolute fairness. By trusting in God's perfect justice, we can walk in freedom, leaving behind the yoke of self-pity and vengeance. This freedom empowers us to live lives of love, grace, and joy, reflecting God's goodness to the world. [07:31]
"For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off." (Psalm 37:28, ESV)
Reflection: How does the assurance of God's perfect justice change the way you view the wrongs done to you? How can you live more joyfully and purposefully in light of this truth?
Day 5: Living in Freedom
As we trust in God's perfect justice and love, we can walk in freedom, leaving behind the burdens of self-pity and vengeance. This freedom empowers us to live lives of love, grace, and joy, reflecting God's goodness to the world. By focusing on God's promises and His presence in our lives, we can rise above our circumstances and live with purpose and joy. This perspective not only transforms our own lives but also impacts those around us, as we become beacons of God's love and grace. [09:10]
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to embrace the freedom Christ offers? How can you begin to live more fully in that freedom today?
Sermon Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves yearning for appreciation and recognition. It's a natural human desire to want our efforts to be noticed and valued. However, there are times when our good deeds seem to vanish into a void of unappreciation, leaving us feeling hurt and overlooked. In these moments, it's crucial to remember that God sees and values every act of love and kindness, even when others do not. Jesus assures us in Matthew 6:4 that our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us. This divine recognition is a profound source of comfort and motivation, reminding us that our efforts are never in vain when done with a heart mindful of God.
Moreover, when we face unjust treatment or persecution, it is essential to trust in God's justice. Romans 12 teaches us not to seek vengeance but to leave room for God's wrath, for He promises to repay. This trust in divine justice allows us to continue loving and serving others, even when wronged. By remembering God and being conscious of His presence, we can lay down the burdens of self-pity and bitterness, freeing ourselves to live lives of love and grace.
Ultimately, our focus should be on God, who rewards our unseen good deeds and avenges the wrongs done to us. This perspective liberates us from the shackles of self-pity and vengeance, enabling us to live joyfully and purposefully. As we trust in God's perfect justice and love, we can walk in freedom, knowing that He will settle all accounts with absolute fairness.
Key Takeaways
1. God's Recognition: Even when our good deeds go unnoticed by others, God sees and values every act of love and kindness. This divine recognition is a profound source of comfort and motivation, reminding us that our efforts are never in vain when done with a heart mindful of God. [02:05]
2. Trust in Divine Justice: When faced with unjust treatment, we are called to trust in God's justice rather than seeking vengeance ourselves. Romans 12 teaches us to leave room for God's wrath, for He promises to repay. This trust allows us to continue loving and serving others, even when wronged. [06:18]
3. Freedom from Self-Pity: By remembering God and being conscious of His presence, we can lay down the burdens of self-pity and bitterness. This perspective liberates us, enabling us to live lives of love and grace, free from the shackles of resentment. [07:46]
4. God's Perfect Justice: God will reward our unseen good deeds and avenge the wrongs done to us. This assurance allows us to live joyfully and purposefully, knowing that He will settle all accounts with absolute fairness. [07:31]
5. Living in Freedom: As we trust in God's perfect justice and love, we can walk in freedom, leaving behind the yoke of self-pity and vengeance. This freedom empowers us to live lives of love, grace, and joy, reflecting God's goodness to the world. [09:10] ** [09:10]
Matthew 6:4 - "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Romans 12:19 - "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
Hebrews 6:10 - "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do."
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Observation Questions:
According to Matthew 6:4, what does Jesus say about how God views our good deeds? How does this relate to the idea of feeling unappreciated? [02:05]
In Romans 12:19, what instruction does Paul give regarding vengeance? How does this align with the sermon’s message about trusting in God's justice? [06:18]
How does Hebrews 6:10 reassure believers about their good works? What does this imply about God's character? [03:36]
What examples were given in the sermon about situations where people might feel unappreciated or wronged? [01:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
How might understanding that God sees and rewards our unseen good deeds change a person's perspective on feeling unappreciated? [02:05]
What does it mean to "leave room for God's wrath" as mentioned in Romans 12:19? How can this be practically applied in situations of injustice? [06:18]
How does the assurance of God's perfect justice and love help believers to live without self-pity and bitterness? [07:46]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that being conscious of God can impact our daily interactions and responses to others? [03:08]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on a time when you felt unappreciated for your efforts. How can the assurance of God's recognition in Matthew 6:4 provide comfort in similar situations? [02:05]
When faced with unjust treatment, how can you remind yourself to trust in God's justice rather than seeking revenge? What practical steps can you take to apply Romans 12:19 in your life? [06:18]
Consider a situation where you have held onto self-pity or bitterness. How can you consciously lay down these burdens and embrace a life of love and grace? [07:46]
Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to trust God's justice. What actions can you take to strengthen your trust in His perfect justice and love? [07:31]
How can you cultivate a mindset that is more conscious of God's presence in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to keep God at the forefront of your thoughts and actions? [03:08]
Think of someone in your life who has wronged you. How can you apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God and instead choose to love and serve them? [06:33]
What is one practical way you can remind yourself of God's promises and justice when you feel tempted to fall into self-pity or seek revenge? [09:10]
Sermon Clips
The hurt that you experience when the good you do is not noticed or appreciated, the hurt that you experience when the good that you do is not noticed or appreciated. Parents who never say or said good job no matter how hard the kid tried, never said it good job. It's the black hole of parenthood. [00:00:50]
You know the answer to that is God, God is the answer. Listen to this Matthew 6:4 Jesus says your Father who sees in secret will reward you. It's a God issue, it's a God issue, it's a God issue, it's a God issue. That's the way you'll survive when every effort of love disappears in a black hole. [00:01:18]
It's a God issue that will keep you smiling, it's a God issue that will keep you hopeful and happy and resourceful and flowing and flowing and flowing to the day you die when nobody says thank you. It's a God issue you can bring more glory to your God by pressing on in thankless love than you can by any other means. [00:02:46]
Mark this now we're sinners okay no problem we're sinners we do lots of bad things, they will be covered in the cross but we do lots of good things. The Bible says God is not so unjust as to overlook your good deeds Hebrews chapter six you do good things, everybody in this room does good things if you're a believer. [00:03:31]
God writes down every one of them in his book every single one is kept in a book it doesn't matter if nobody else in the world children spouses parents grandparents colleagues friends roommates never say a word God writes it down and therefore you can go to your room get out on your knees and say. [00:03:52]
Father of all the audiences in the world that I would like to have you're the most important and I want to thank you that you noticed and that you approved and I love you and I need you and I trust you and would you grant me the grace now to be free from self-pity and move on and love. [00:04:19]
The good that you do comes back in your face is twisted is persecuted someone lies about you at work and you lose your job and it's totally unjust totally unjust or you confide in someone and bear your soul and they turn it against you they reject you or for the first time in your life. [00:05:00]
How do you survive and go on loving people when your deep judicial sense says no it isn't right this can't be tolerated it's not fair and the answer is God Romans 12 beloved do not avenge yourselves but give place to wrath for it is written vengeance is mine I will repay says the Lord. [00:06:01]
If your enemy is hungry you feed him and if your enemy is thirsty you give him drink don't you swear at him don't you kick him but you write nasty letters about him you love him bless him pray for him and I will be the avenger it's a God issue do you trust God do you trust God with the justice of your life. [00:06:52]
God will reward you for all the right things that you have done when nobody else knows them and God will avenge you for all the wrong that has been done to you when nobody else knows them so that now if you believe this God if he's real to you if you are conscious of him if you bank on him. [00:07:23]
Then you can be done with self-pity and I just invite you I plead with you leave the yoke and the burden of life ruining self-pity on these benches when you walk out this morning self-pity ruins life you can't see anything you can't see beauty you can't see people you can't do anything wholesome or feel large feelings. [00:07:44]
God will reward you for everything you've ever done good when nobody else has noticed and it's going to be good you'll wonder at that day why did I ever feel sorry for myself and the second is God sees every wrong that's ever been done to you and he will either forgive that by crushing his son for it. [00:08:16]