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Glory.
While a very familiar and much used word, it is also a word
somewhat difficult to define. The obsessive pursuit for glory
has rendered more than one world leader impotent, immobile,
irrelevant, and, in a few cases imprisoned. The official
definition for the word “glory” according to Webster is:
having great
honor, fame, splendor, and adoration.
The honor and fame parts of that
definition don’t usually create the problem. However, when we
make the mistake of crossing over the line as we greedily seek
out splendor and adoration, this is when trouble can ensue,
especially if we try to steal glory from God. Why? Because
God’s glory is just that…it is his and his alone. It is he who
deserves the glory and the adoration.
God’s glory has been sought after
from the very beginning of human existence. Satan, Adam and
Eve, the people of Babel, and many of the Jewish kings all
sought out God’s glory for themselves. It’s a proven fact that
whenever any of God’s created creatures try to usurp God’s power
and glory, they lose, every time, most often with death being
their ultimate punishment.
God calls his people to humble
themselves in his sight, giving the glory to him alone. When we
do this, God receives the honor that he most rightly deserves,
and we are lifted up by him in the process. There is no shame
in acknowledging your position in relation to God. Instead
there is honor, the honor that can only come from our loving
Father.
So, let’s review the process: When
you and I strive for glory and adoration, we are subject to
God’s anger and judgment. But when we give honor, praise and
glory to God, he raises us up and offers us honor as his beloved
children.
Now if that’s not a “no-brainer” I
don’t know what is. Rebellion and judgment verses obedience and
honor? You figure it out. Why not take some time this week to
consider the ways in which you can honor God, ways in which you
can give him glory, ways that you can offer adoration to God.
As the words to a very well-known hymn remind us:
To God be the
glory, to God be the glory, to God be the glory for the things
he has done.
With his blood
he has saved us, with his power he has raised us.
To God be the
glory for the things he has done.
Amen. |
