The Glory of God. It rolls off the tongue.
My pastor, whom I respect highly, commenced his Sunday sermon from John 17. Often referred to as ‘Jesus’ Priestly Prayer’ or ‘The true Lord’s Prayer’, it offers a strategic glimpse into the heart of the Master as he concluded his earthly ministry, faced the cross, and looked beyond for His Church’s mission. Between the opening remarks of our preacher and the Holy Spirit prompting my heart from The Word, I was keenly impressed with Jesus’ clear focus upon God’s glory in His prayer.
In fact, upon further reflection after the sermon, I discover the Lord used the word for glory and glorify (noun and verb) seven times during the course of His brief prayer. The first five verses, He referenced it five times. God’s glory was primary in His attention, and top of His agenda.
Worth noting.
Earlier, discussing the illness and pending death of Lazarus (and inconceivable resurrection), Jesus placed events in the expressed framework of God’s glory. As He entered Jerusalem for Passion week, the Savior knew full well what lie ahead. In John 13 He couched it as glorifying God. Jesus did not merely pay lip service to God’s glory; He lived it. He died for it. Rose again because of it. And indeed will come again in display of it.
The Apostle Paul in his epistles, particularly in Ephesians, regularly referenced God’s glory. The Historic Westminster Catechism, circa 1646, commences with the primary affirmation, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Some serious soul-searching is in order. Do I prize the Glory of God above all? Is it my starting point of reference in prayer? It is the ending aspiration of my life? Is God’s glory my prime pursuit? Practically speaking: ‘What would it look like to live today in the trenches for God’s glory?’.
The Glory of God: it rolls off the tongue. Speaking of God’s glory while orchestrating for my own good. Referencing God’s glory when doing His work, yet laboring for my own notoriety. Paying lip service to God’s glory yet behaving in opposite manner. Reading about God’s glory right now, then forgetting about it in daily affairs.
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I Cor 10:31 The Glory of God: it rolls off the tongue. It resonates in real life.
