Daily Devotional: Wednesday, September 13 - Human Glory Fades Quickly

“We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” — Psalm 39:6-7 (NLT)

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I was walking to the arena to do a chapel one day, and walking a few yards in front of me was a tall, older African-American man. This man walked past dozens of Rockets fans and not one asked him for a selfie or autograph.

On its 75th anniversary, the NBA named its top 75 players of all time, and this man walking in front of me was on that list. He’s enshrined in the Hall of Fame as well. Here was a man who was the Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid of his day, now walking down the street in almost complete anonymity. How could that be? Because human glory and fame fade very quickly.

The Hebrew word for “glory” also connotes weight and importance. Human glory fades quickly because athletes who are important to the sport during the prime of their careers aren’t as important to it after they retire. The light of human fame quickly dims, and glory fades whether you are a high school, college or professional athlete or coach.

However, God’s glory lasts forever (Psalm 104:31). It is eternal, unfading and beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). And get this: If our goal in life is to spread God’s glory through our lives, then we are promised to be participants in that glory (Romans 8:17).

So, how can you make God famous today? How can you give Him glory?

— Ikki Soma, former Houston Rockets chaplain

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