Stop Chasing Approval: the Secret to True Honor π | Joshua 4 Devotional (7-Step QT)
7-Step QT Notes
1. π Quiet Time
Pause.
Take a deep breath.
Ask God to help you honor Him above all else.
2. π November 16, 2025
Today’s passage reminds us:
True honor comes from God, not people.
3. ✝️ Joshua 4:1-14
After Israel finished crossing the Jordan, God told Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe, to take twelve stones from the riverbed where the priests stood with the ark. These stones would serve as a memorial for future generations, reminding them that the waters stopped before the ark of the covenant. Joshua also set up twelve stones in the river. The priests remained until all was completed as God commanded. About 40,000 armed men crossed ahead for battle. On that day, the LORD exalted Joshua before all Israel, and they revered him as they had Moses.
4. π Key Verse
“On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel…” (v. 14)
5. π Reflection
We all crave respect—through success, wealth, or influence. Social media amplifies this desire, pushing us to seek likes, followers, and validation. But human respect is fragile. One rumor can destroy a reputation overnight.
Joshua’s story reminds us: true honor comes from God, not from people. God exalted Joshua to lead His people—not because Joshua chased fame, but because he obeyed God. When we live for God’s glory, He takes care of our reputation.
So, stop striving for human approval. Start seeking God’s approval. Honor Him first, and let Him handle the rest.
6. π¬ What does this passage speak to you today?
- Where am I seeking validation from people instead of God?
- How can I shift my focus to honoring God in my daily choices?
- What practical step can I take today to live for His glory, not mine?
7. π Prayer
Lord, help me stop chasing human approval.
Teach me to honor You above all else.
May my life reflect Your glory, not my own.
Amen.
Scriptures
π 1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’ ” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”
8 And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. 9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the covenant had stood; and they are there to this day. 10 For the priests bearing the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to tell the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua.
The people passed over in haste. 11 And when all the people had finished passing over, the ark of the LORD and the priests passed over before the people. 12 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh passed over armed before the people of Israel, as Moses had told them. 13 About 40,000 ready for war passed over before the LORD for battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life (Joshua 4:1-14, ESV).
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