“According as it is written, ‘He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.'” 1 Corinthians 1:31
Dear Ones:
Our view of God, His nature, and that which is right in His eyes, has become skewed, and reduced to the “man-made” level of mediocrity, because of the infringement of humanism, the worship of man. Paul wrote to Timothy concerning the “latter times,” “…some shall depart from the faith.” (1 Tim. 4:1) He goes on to write in his second letter to Timothy: “…in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves.” (3:1,2) What does he mean by these declarations? First of all, there shall be a departure from the true object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence, there will be a departure from true faith. Secondly, there will be the embracing of the worship of man, and the glorifying of self to the neglect and rejection of God. This is a “perilous” situation, because God does not compromise that which is right and just, for the “good ideas,” and pursuits of men. God is truly merciful and gracious in all of His dealings with us, but never at the expense of that which is true and right. He cannot deny Himself, and will not act in a contradictory manner. Why then is the issue of “glory,” specifically the glory of God, of primary significance in how man responds to it? The answer has to do with righteousness, or that which is right and true in the eyes of God.
In Isaiah 42:8, the Lord declares: “I am the Lord: that is My name: and My glory will I NOT give to another, neither My praise to carved images.” Why does He say this? If the glory of God is that expression, and revelation of His nature and attributes as a Person, it is not right, nor true, that man should claim that he is the author of it, and thus, the lawful recipient of the praise associated with it. Throughout Scripture, the revelation of God is specifically followed by the praise of His Person, the attributing to Him as being the beginning and ending of every manifestation of it. It is not “right” that man, the creation of God, and a sinner, should have any right to take the praise to himself, of anything that has its origin or essence in God. One hymn-writer put it like this:
“Every virtue that I possess; every victory won; every thought of holiness, are His and His ALONE.”
With regard to the person and work of Christ, Paul makes it quite clear: “But of Him (God) are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, ‘He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” How then are we to “glory in the Lord?’
It begins with the entering into His presence to worship Him in Spirit and truth. The Psalmist writes: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” (Ps. 100:4) The man who is truly thankful to God is that one who KNOWS that he is the recipient of all that is good from God, God the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Secondly, we find in Jesus’ model prayer, which we call the Lord’s prayer, that He begins with: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” Here is the specific recognition of Who God is as our Father, and the worthiness of His name and person, as we are called to “hallow,” treat as holy, distinct, the “rightful” and “just” recipient of all praise. John, in the book of Revelation, would write of the coming unanimous and universal chorus of believers, angels, and all creatures in heaven and earth, giving glory to God alone: “Blessing, honor, and glory and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Rev. 5:13)
Dear Father, give us grace in this context of humanism, where the great push is to elevate man, to see Thee as You are, exalted above all, and blessed forever. Quicken and strengthen our hearts to ever give Thee thanks for all that is good, all that is of Thee in Christ. Anoint our lips to praise and bless Thee forever, for You alone are worthy to receive all the praise, honor, and blessing…for ever and ever. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad