To God be the glory
“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Revelation 4:11 (NKJV)
According to Wikipedia, the Westminster Shorter Catechism is composed of 107 questions and answers about God, Christ, sin, the Ten Commandments, baptism, communion and the Lord’s Prayer. The first question is: ‘What is the chief end (or purpose) of man?’ To which the catechism answers: ‘A man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’ In order to give glory to God, one has to know Him, and must believe: ‘… that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.’ (Hebrews 11:6).
How can we glorify God? The answer is by following the Lord Jesus and abiding in Him for He is ‘the true vine’; we are described as the branches and without Him we cannot bear fruit. It is by abiding in Him we bear much fruit and God is glorified. (John 15:1-8). We find in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” And according to Psalm 50:23: “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Heaven is described as a place where God is continually glorified: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11). An added admonition is found in Revelation 14:7: “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
God is sovereign and He is glorified when we humbly submit to Him completely, with a contrite heart and deep reverence and awe. It is only through Jesus we can glorify God: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Indeed the whole of creation manifests the glory of God as King David says in 1 Chronicles 29:11: “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.”
God Almighty is worthy of glory and honour. To God be the glory. Amen.
Prayer
Abba Father, You are the God of glory and thank You for revealing Your greatness and majesty to us, that we may give You the glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 1pm
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church