ESOCS Devotional 10 August 2026 -Strive For God’s Glory
MEMORY VERSE: Matthew 6:13 “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.”
TEXT: Matthew 6:1-15
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
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God’s glory according to google search refers to the visible manifestation of His attributes, character and splendour, encompassing His greatness, beauty, and perfection. To strive means to work for or desire to have. As Christians, our utmost desire is to be what God desire us to be both in our doing and benefits. In our text today, we see some expositions of what Christian character should be in prayer, charity, service and in relationship. The accompanying benefits are also exposed.
The target of the acts of a Christian is not to show proof to men that we are involved in well doing. But to act in such a way that it will be clear to God that we are doing good for the reason that we desire to give God pleasure. We should not target to give men or the world pleasure. This theory applies to alms giving, prayer and assistance (Matt. 6:1-8).
It is advised that we learn to pray, assist and give alms secretly. This is the pattern that pleases God. It is the style that moves him to command and give rewards. (Matt:3,6).
The God we serve is Omniscient and Omnipresent. He knows the thoughts of our heart and He is everywhere at the same time. There is nothing that is hidden from God. So, right there in our hearts, we should have the understanding that God knows it and sees us. Our acts should be directed to Him and not to man.
Again, we should live with the understanding that God gives us what and how we love to give to others who are in need. Those who willingly and freely give to the needy will receive from God when they are in need. Those who forgive and cancel the indebtedness of others when they can’t pay will have their own sins and indebtedness before God forgiven. We can only reap the fruit of the forgiveness of our sin which Jesus Christ secured for us on the cross at Calvary if we whole heartedly forgive others who offend us and desire our pardon.
Therefore, if we must be like Christ in character and blessedness we must have the target of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit that gives man the enablement to live by the word of God and live for God. (Acts 1:8).
Question
Do you now experience the inner urge to have God rather than man applaud your deeds?
Prayer
Father, may I live to give you glory in all that I do in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading: Ezek 34:17-end. Deut. 7:6-11, Heb. 4:11-end
ESOCS Devotional 10 August 2026
