Our oldest son and his family have been with us for the last two days. With them living 500 miles away, two active six year olds, and busy schedules, getting together is always a treat. Just after they left as I was preparing to write, I thought about how much joy it brought me to see my son living a successful life, caring for his wife, raising his children, and serving God. This same joy also comes as I watch our other two children and their families. I think the most satisfaction comes from seeing them live out the principles their mom and I taught them. Then one of those moments of enlightenment flashed through my mind—how much joy it must bring our Heavenly Father as we live successful lives that glorify Him.
All parents hope their new born child will someday bring them joy and honor. No one plans to have children that will bring them grief and shame. Our Father is no different. Glorifying God and bringing Him joy is the purpose for which He created us. The Westminster Confession succinctly sums up our purpose. “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” God created man for His glory. Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made (Isa 43:7).
Glorifying God is not something we do just on Sunday. Scripture tell us, that in all things God may be glorified (1 Pet 4:11). Whatever you do . . . do all to the glory of God (1Co 10:31). God receives glory when we let our light shine before men in such a way that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16). Jesus said, My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (Joh 15:8). Paul narrows it down to even eating and drinking. Whether you eat or drink . . . do everything for God’s glory (1 Corin 10:31).
The noted author John Piper writes, “Glorifying” means feeling and thinking and acting in ways that reflect his greatness, that make much of God, that give evidence of the supreme greatness of all his attributes and the all-satisfying beauty of his manifold perfections.” Glorifying God is not automatic; it involves a daily choice. In the Old Testament God manifested His glory in the pillar of cloud and fire that led Israel through the wilderness, then on the Tabernacle, and finally on Solomon’s temple. Now we are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in us (1Co 3:16). Through Him we can feel, think, and act in ways that reflect His glory. Yet, we must continually be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18).
We live in a world that desperately needs to see God’s glory. Despite the fact that the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps 19:1) men have exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures (Rom 1:23). The only chance they may have to see God’s glory comes through the life we live before other people.
The point that spoke to my heart in the Westminster Confession was the statement we are to “enjoy him forever”. Do we enjoy serving God? Note these verses. I rejoice in following your statutes (Ps 119:14). I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God (Isa 61:10). We can do this because, this is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psa 118:24). The world is full of unhappy and joyless people because they are seeking to find it outside of God. In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever (Psa 16:11). Jesus taught His disciples at their final Passover before His crucifixion, if they kept His commandments His joy would remain in them, and their joy would be full. We will find true joy only in living for God’s glory.
Often God’s glory can be seen in things that don’t happen. As I was writing this, we received a text informing us my daughter, her husband, and three children had been in accident. A deer ran into their car, crashed through the driver side window, shattering glass everywhere, and hitting my son-in-law in the head. The second text came right afterward from my daughter saying it was a miracle they only suffered minor injuries. The children in the backseat were unharmed. I saw God’s glory written all over this incident. Had it been in the fall the deer would have antlers. Had it been a second later, it would have hit the children. I could write another page of “had it been’s”. To God be the glory! We can rest in His peace if we are choosing to live for His glory and are content in His will.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Choose to live for His glory this week. You will bring Him joy and you will enjoy life.