Worship

Scripture

The first tenet of the seventeenth century Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) declares a principle with which King David would surely agree: “The chief end of man is to glorify God.”  In fact, the composers of the WSC cited passages from Psalms to support this fundamental assertion, an assertion that’s still accepted in Christian doctrine.

But what does it mean to glorify God?   How does the imperfect, inadequate, uncertain human me (or you!) have the capacity to do anything that glorifies almighty God?  In exploring answers to that question, I came across a Crosswalk devotional from December 2018 that arrested my attention: 

“Bringing glory to God . . . means that we are doing supernatural things that can only be attributed to Him.”

At first, this explanation turned me off.  The word supernatural . . . , Well, that just sounds a little much on the holiness side!  But I read on for clarity and found it.   Here are three common examples of practical, supernatural behaviors that we, the faithful, enact to the glory of God.

  • The very act of faith, trusting Christ for salvation, depends on believing everything supernatural about the Cross. God is glorified!
  • Praying to God for our needs and for the needs of others shows dependence on the supernatural. God is glorified!
  • Praising God in worship for who He is and for what he does expresses the supernatural.  God is glorified!

So we easily see what David means when he writes about glorifying God.  It’s not as complicated as my rational mind wanted to make it!  

For sure, we don’t have to enroll in a seminary course to grasp it.  

We don’t have to fall out trembling in an out-of-body trance to prove it.  

We aren’t required to recite pious phrases or religious incantations to declare it.  

We don’t need to perform monastic rituals of humility or self-deprivation to dramatize it.  

Nope, glorifying God is very basic. Jesus truly simplifies the matter in Matthew 22, where he reminds us of the two greatest commandments: We should love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, all the while loving our neighbors as ourselves.  If we will live out our lives in faithful and conscientious obedience to these commands, God will receive glory!  

And we will be blessed in living out the purpose for which we were created.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 NASB

Thank you Lord that I wake up everyday with more than I deserve, let me honor you with all that you’ve given me

ASK GOD

Everything you pray for with the fullness of faith you will receive!

Matthew 21:22 TPT

Faith moves everything in you into alignment to receive what you are believing for. Honor the Lord with the fullness of your faith.

SUBMIT TO GOD

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

Lord I put your glory and priorities over mine and trust that you still provide all that I need each day.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, life is complicated! But You guide me through everything and even when I miss the mark, You show me mercy and teach me something new. Thank You for Your forgiveness and that Your mercies are new every morning. In Jesus Name, Amen