February 9
Honesty
Before God
“How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love what will certainly fail? How long will you pray to statues of gods?”
Psalm 4:2 (NIrV)
Madison’s Instagram feed was flawless. Every post showcased a perfect life: exotic vacations, luxury outfits, and elaborate meals. Her followers admired her “success,” and she loved the validation their comments brought. But beneath the picture-perfect facade was a life that felt hollow and strained.
The truth? Madison’s “lavish lifestyle” was a carefully curated illusion. The vacations were borrowed photos from friends, the outfits returned after photoshoots, and the meals more often came from discount takeout than Michelin-star restaurants.
At first, Madison justified her lies. “It’s harmless,” she thought. “Everyone exaggerates online.” But as her follower count grew, so did the pressure to keep up the act. She felt trapped, constantly anxious that someone would expose her lies.
One evening, after posting yet another embellished story, Madison’s eyes fell on her Bible, collecting dust on her nightstand. She hadn’t opened it in months, but something urged her to pick it up. Flipping through the pages, she landed on Psalm 4:2:
"How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love what will certainly fail?"
The words struck her like a lightning bolt. Her whole life was built on chasing what would certainly fail—fame, likes, and approval from strangers. She realized her actions were turning away from God’s truth, glorifying herself instead of Him.
Madison dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Lord, I’ve been living a lie. I’ve put my worth in things that don’t matter. Forgive me and help me to live in Your truth.”
The next day, Madison posted something different. She shared her real story—her struggles, insecurities, and the pressure she felt to be someone she wasn’t. To her surprise, the response was overwhelmingly supportive. Many followers resonated with her honesty, and some even thanked her for reminding them of what truly matters.
From that day forward, Madison chose authenticity over pretense, allowing God’s truth to guide her. She learned that real glory comes from honoring God, not seeking fleeting validation.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that true worth and glory come from You alone.
Forgive us when we chase after things that will certainly fail, forgetting that You are the source of all that is good and lasting.
Help us to live honestly, reflecting Your truth in everything we do.
Give us the courage to let go of falsehoods and to trust that You have a purpose for our lives that is greater than we can imagine.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
