PODCAST
Obsequious Or Objective?
June 24th, 2013
Psalm 47:1-9
In the early 20th century, T. A. Dorgan was an influential newspaper cartoonist whose drawings sometimes were the origin of common expressions, such as “hot dog.” Another term he originated came from a cartoon where he depicted a newspaper editor admiring a newly printed edition. He is surrounded by flattering employees expressing their agreement and we know that because Dorgan labeled these characters as “Yes-Men.” Soon the term came to mean those who “go along to get along.”
When Jehoshaphat’s messenger suggested Micaiah agree with the other prophets the courier was obviously a “yes-man.” However, Micaiah was not and because he wasn’t, eventually he was imprisoned for “seeking the counsel of the Lord” or speaking the truth.
Occasionally we face the same challenge when we can speak up for the Lord or the gospel or choose not to because it might make us uncomfortable. So we must choose. Will we go along with the crowd, keep quiet, and be a “yes man” (or woman) with the skeptical majority? Or will we speak up for Christ and risk being thought “different”?
Author: Anne Adams
Tags: Obedience
June 24th, 2013 at 7:48 am
I noticed lately that the scripture isn’t aligned with the devotional comments.
June 24th, 2013 at 10:15 am
Hi. I do not think the above comment is true in todays scripture and commentary. Psalm 47:1-9, encourages our praise for a loving God and King. He is King of todays world. In a society, where some nations admonish kings and queens, princes and princesses – (i.e. England and Spain). Presidents and the Congress are lifted on high – especially in other countries. These rulers are called by many names. In a world likes this. God reigns on high. He is King. He reigns supreme; and He is still on the throne. Yet some of us have a hard time praise him – as if we have a hard time shouting for joy because of a new day. We cannot find a reason to live. Do everything as unto the Lord. Today’s scripture encourages me to exalt the King on high, who is exalted above all the earth.
June 24th, 2013 at 10:19 am
Todays commentary says do not give up your praise of Him for anyone and anything. If God gives you a testimony – tell others what it is; who He is to you. Do not be obsequious to the world. Do not let the world rule your heart, your life or your desires to serve a living God. He reigns supreme. Be objective each day about what God is trying to accomplish in you and through you; or through Christ to you; and a dying world – to live is Christ, to die is gain.
June 24th, 2013 at 10:26 am
I used to not read the newspaper through and through. Now I read it all the time trying to understand the satire of living today. Sometimes I read the Sunday paper’s comics. I get a little chuckle from the sydicated comic strips that imply the drudgery of working or not accomplishing some goal. The implications play out in child’s play, in the business office and with political leaders. However, it’s not funny! It’s a ploy of the enemy. He plays us against ourselves – our weaknesses and inadequacies. But you know what? Knowing God,the Father; and Christ,the Lord makes all the difference in the world.
June 24th, 2013 at 10:44 pm
Rick, at the risk of hearing in error, I heard the scripture reference relating to the devotional only after I referred to the definition of “obsequious.”
Apparently, Micaiah was misunderstood as being over-zealous in his joyful “words” of praise for God. However, later his “actions” proved out his sincerity.
“Holy-rollers” are misunderstood by those that don’t have the same relationship.
June 24th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
MB: “Sometimes I read the Sunday paper’s comics. I get a little chuckle from the sydicated comic strips that imply the drudgery of working or not accomplishing some goal. The implications play out in child’s play, in the business office and with political leaders. However, it’s not funny! It’s a ploy of the enemy.”
What little I’ve read the comics, I’ve wondered why someone doesn’t use them as sermon examples (because they are so true and like you stated “not funny” when looking at them from a spiritual perspective).
I’ve even scanned a couple and”tried” to post on some Christian forums, but the site wouldn’t allow anything but type data. (Probably this is some sort of saving grace due to copyright laws).