June 23rd
“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3 NKJV
“And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, “Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.”‘ And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.” Judges 7:2-3 NKJV
One of God’s characteristics is that he does things to bring glory to himself. God’s splendor, creativity and majesty are seen in every part of creation. He made everything we see in the earth and universe and all of it testifies about his glory. He made each of us from some dirt and water, and then breathed life into us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and far exceed the efficiency, complexity and beauty of anything man has made.
Even with all the evidence of God around us, many people fail to give God the praise and honor he deserves. Failing to give God the honor, credit and glory that he deserves has the potential to give evil a foothold in our lives. Consider the sobering account from Romans 1:20-21 NIV:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
When this group of people failed to glorify and thank God, their thinking and mindset became corrupted. We too can be susceptible to such corruption, so it’s a good practice to worship and thank God each day. This helps us to retain a God-focused mindset and protect from becoming self-centered. Example ways to incorporate worship to the daily routine include: thanking God for everything we can think of, singing worship songs during our quiet time, reading a worship Psalm to God, and singing worship songs during the commute to work.
Another aspect of worship is to declare God’s glory to other people. Acts 12:21-23 gives us a sobering reminder of the premium God puts on his glory. God struck King Herod dead when he accepted praise as if he was a god. God puts great value on glory. He wants us to give him glory in our lives by what we say, what we think and how we live. Example ways to do this include telling people about answered prayers and about what God is doing in our lives.
There seems to be a connection between healing and glorifying God. Several times in the New Testament Jesus noted that healing was performed to glorify God. If you are seeking healing or deliverance, how do you plan to glorify God when he heals you? Will you tell people, risking embarrassment, or will you quietly accept the healing and move on with your life?
Plan now what you will do to bring glory to God when he heals you. When you tell others about what God has done in you, several other people may seek God because of your testimonial!
Questions for further thought:
How can familiarity blind us to the amazing evidence of God all around us?
How much time do you spend thanking God for the “little things” that you have been blessed with in your life?
What is it about human nature that resists giving God his due glory? (James 4:6-7; 1 John 2:15-16)
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I thank you for your great mercy and love for me. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins and be resurrected so that I may now live for you in righteousness. Please forgive me for not giving you the glory and honor due for all that you are and all that you have done. Please help me rediscover the magnificence of your creation and all that you are. There is none like you, O Lord. You are wonderful, mighty, glorious, majestic, just, holy, loving, kind and merciful. I submit myself to you as your servant. May everything I say, think and do bring glory to your name from this day forward. I praise you now and forever, Amen!”