Day 12

John 12:43‘

For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

John 12 exposes a tension that many people quietly live with. Some believed in Jesus, yet they kept their faith hidden. Not because they did not believe, but because belief came with a cost. They feared how they would be seen, what might be lost, and how their lives might change if their devotion became visible. Scripture tells us plainly that they loved human approval more than God’s glory.

There are many reasons someone might hesitate to live their faith outwardly. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of being labeled. Fear of opposition or relational strain. While we may not face the kind of persecution seen in other parts of the world, opposition to the gospel is still real. Faithfulness still carries weight. And sometimes the discomfort is not only about what others might think, but about what faithfulness requires once belief becomes public.

But devotion to Jesus does not begin in public spaces. It begins in private ones. While the Christian faith is undoubtedly meant to be lived out openly, it is rooted in habits and devotion formed when no one is watching. Choosing devotion over applause starts with character, not visibility. It starts with prayer, worship, and obedience in the quiet places of life.

When faith is shaped only by public approval, it becomes fragile. It depends on affirmation and avoids cost. But when faith is formed in private devotion, it becomes steady. What is practiced in secret eventually shows up in public. Private faith always reveals itself over time.

John 12 places these realities side by side. Mary pours out costly devotion with no concern for approval. Others believe but remain silent to protect reputation. The question is not whether belief exists, but what belief is rooted in.

As you continue this season of prayer and fasting, consider where your faith is being formed. Ask what devotion looks like when there is no applause to gain and no recognition to receive. Faithfulness in private prepares us for courage in public. God sees what is done in secret, and He is faithful to honor it.

Prayer

God, help us choose devotion over applause. Form our faith in the quiet places where our character is shaped and our hearts are revealed. As we continue these days of prayer and fasting, deepen our private devotion so that our public faith flows naturally from a life centered on You. We desire Your glory more than approval from others. Amen.