Ps 103 Are we driven by Selfish ambition?

Psalm 103 The Lord is like a father to his children,  tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

If we really understand God as a tender and compassionate father then our self esteem will be healthy, we won’t be driven to achieve great things but be led by God’s spirit. The apostle Paul in Philippians writes of preachers with mixed motives who preached out of jealousy, rivalry and selfish ambition. This is an important lesson for us all that we should seek no glory, honour or recognition for ourselves. It’s all about pleasing our father. A true appreciation of God’s undeserved love gives us both security and significance. What we do to please our heavenly father is simply faithful service. We don’t deserve or need any praise or thanks from others. We should of course encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ and model grateful thanks both to God and others but not become resentful when others are more “successful”. Indeed unlike the way much of life is often portrayed we are not in competition with other believers but in the same family working to build each other up, rejoicing with the success of others and weeping with those who mourn.

Father help me to both appreciate your love fully and be pure hearted in serving you.