Seeking God's Glory

I have been thinking upon Psalm 29:2: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” I memorized this verse a few months ago and God has brought it to mind again in recent weeks. This verse ties into the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be thy name.” I pray the Lord makes me holier day by day by his sanctifying grace; I desire to glorify him in all I do. By God’s grace, this is my heart’s desire as I walk with him. Along with Psalm 29:2, God has used several passages and the providence of a new year to put his glory every the more on my mind.

Through the Scriptures, by his Spirit, God has shown me ways I fail to glorify him. In moments of pride, I glorify myself and steal his glory. In moments of unbelief and fear, I doubt his character and promises. In moments of covetousness, envy, and discontent, I am telling him he’s not sufficiently meeting my needs. When I try to order my future the way I want rather than saying thy will be done, I’m increasing myself and diminishing him.

I have been reading though Jeremiah and was struck with how the people of Israel were relying on their own works rather than trusting in God’s promises. They were not ascribing to the LORD the glory due his name. God told the people not to go into Egypt and they thought they knew better (Jeremiah 42-43.) The people were looking at temporal comforts they saw in Egypt, rather than glorifying God by trusting in his provision. Although Egypt appeared safe in their eyes, it was a very dangerous place to be as they were rebelling against God. Yet, God is merciful and keeps his covenant with his people. In Jeremiah 46:27-28, the Lord says: “But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.” God comforted his people, his chosen remnant among the Israelites. Their sinful hearts led them astray and they acted in fear and unbelief when they went to Egypt. God’s words to them were “fear not.” He reminded them of his covenant of grace, telling them he was with them. He poured out his grace in assuring them they were his and in using the rod of temporal discipline to correct them; in Christ they saw no wrath of God but had eternal life. This account, made me think of 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” God takes away our fears and makes us look upon Christ. He is glorified when we look to him alone.

In Acts 20, God shows us the godly example of Paul and the early church. It is evident from the passage that the early church had a great love for the Lord and the body of Christ. Paul did not count his own life precious, rather he glorified God by proclaiming the gospel and setting his eyes on his treasure in heaven. Paul suffered under persecutions and he had to part ways with his brethren to advance the spread of the gospel, knowing he would continue to suffer for Christ. Yet he could say he did not covet anyone’s silver, gold, or clothing. I find when the going gets rough, I struggle with envy and covetousness. Paul was a very godly man, but he was not some super human. He was clay in God’s hands gifted with much grace. He was the last apostle appointed by God. Paul humbly thought himself the least apostle, and the least of the saints (1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8.) God set him before us as an example, an example that points to Christ. The church’s cornerstone is Christ (Ephesians 2:20.) In Philippians 3, Paul tells us of God’s grace and urges us, like him, to “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:12-21

Christ emptied himself and became a servant for us. On the cross, he bore the penalty we deserve for our sins; (see "The Holy Servant".) God is glorified when we humble ourselves before him and call on him for mercy. Those with a broken and contrite spirit are pleasing unto the Lord (Psalm 51:17.) God is not pleased with vain gifts or service. He is not pleased with disgruntled service or service due to fear rather than out of love. God desires that Christians find their comfort in him and glorify his name. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism Answer 1 says: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” God is good. He is our holy heavenly Father and promises to provide all that we need. A heart that loves the Lord, glorifies and enjoys the Lord. Although our love for him is mingled with sin, in Christ, believers glorify God. He gives us hearts that worship him in spirit and in truth and he looks upon Christ’s righteousness rather than our failure to glorify him in all things.

Outside of Christ, no one can glorify God. God glorifies himself in believers by justifying them in Christ’s work on the cross. God is also glorified in punishing evil. God glorifies himself in sending unrepentant sinners to hell. He is merciful to any who hear his call and come to him. But he urges to act with haste; the day of mercy ends upon death. “For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

I discovered the following hymn/poem by Anna Waring last week. It embodies a childlike faith and servant heart. In the last stanza, Anna is referring to God’s grace that frees us from the power of sin through Christ and sanctifies us. By God’s grace, we more and more lay down our life for our Friend enjoying our lives that are hidden in him to the glory of God.

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come,
I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a present mind
Intent on pleasing Thee.

I ask Thee for a thoughtful love,
Through constant watching wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles,
And to wipe the weeping eyes;
And a heart at leisure from itself,
To soothe and sympathize.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoe'er estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate;
And a work of lowly love to do
For the Lord on whom I wait.

So I ask Thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space,
If Thou be glorified.

And if some things I do not ask,
In my cup of blessing be,
I would have my spirit filled the more
With grateful love to Thee -
More careful - not to serve Thee much,
But to please Thee perfectly.

There are briers besetting every path,
That call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot,
And an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee
Is happy anywhere.

In a service which Thy will appoints,
There are no bonds for me;
For my inmost heart is taught the truth
That makes Thy children free;
And a life of self-renouncing love,
Is a life of liberty.

In closing, I would also like to share a prayer I wrote. 

Father so oft I steal your glory

I seek my joy in earthly things

I look to the works of my hands

As though I have done them

But tis you who works in me

I imagine you smaller than you are

As though your hand were shortened

I look at my shortcomings

And forget my strength is in you

I cannot comprehend you

Creator of heaven and earth

Oh that I had faith as a mustard seed

I’m a wretch beyond measure

By grace I am saved

Fixate my eyes on my treasure-

Christ, my love, my life, my all

Remember your covenant

For your name’s sake

Glorify yourself in me

I am yours. Thy will be done

Let me not seek my own way

Abraham knew not where he went

By faith he followed thee

I’m a pilgrim walking to my heavenly home

Set my steps day by day along the narrow way

I know not the trials and temptations to come

But I know the love, joy, and peace

Of being hidden in Christ

Knit to him forever

I dare not think on the morrow

Fretting or questioning what’s ahead

Sufficient is this; I know the Maker

Of tomorrow and yesterday-I AM. 

O Lord, I know thee

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31