PSALM 115:1 – Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
THEME OF THE DAY: NO SHARED GLORY. Do we feel the tension in the heart of the Psalmist writing today’s scripture? He is in a war, and not a physical one. And not against an outside foe. He is at war within himself. It is conflict between God’s glory and his glory. Twice he cries, “Not to us, not to us” because he knows there is tremendous pull within himself looking for self-glory, or recognition, praise, and affirmation.
What makes this battle even more intense is it extends to the child of God against God Himself. Not that God is an enemy to the Christian, but this is an area of zero negotiation and compromise with Him. The scripture tells us what God says of His glory and for emphasis it is mentioned twice in the major prophet book of Isaiah – I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11). God will not share any of His glory with any creature. So, when we are serving Him, we must go to battle with ourselves – Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.
Always check our hearts in preparing and doing service for the Lord, no matter whether it is spoken or serving ministry. If there is even a touch of desire for praise, recognition, or affirmation from people in our hearts, stop, confess and repent of these sinful desires. If we don’t, we may get what we desire in this world from people, only to see our service burned up as wood, hay, and stubble at the Judgment Seat of Christ – worthless in the eyes of Him who really matters.
So, what is a practical way to constantly win this battle seeking to share God’s glory? The Apostle Paul would give us some good advice to always keep before us. His words and example show us two things; who we are and what we do. If we keep these before us, we will go a long way in winning the battle for glory. His advice is found in his first letter to the Corinthians.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me (1 CORINTHIANS 15:10). Always remember we are a people of grace who do all things by grace. Keeping the words “all of grace” before us will protect us from the sinful pride of drawing attention to ourselves which is “anti-grace.” And equally remember, God does not share His glory and any attempt to do so will always lead us to humbling defeat in the battle to do so.
PRAYER: “Father, protect me from seeking the praise of people and not exclusively seeking Your approval in my service ”
QUOTE: “Seek to be recognized in this life for your service for Jesus and rest assured, you won’t get it in the next world.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim