Give Glory to God

Give Glory to God – Nothing Hidden
The desire to give glory to God extends beyond praise and worship. Telling God the truth expresses His glory. Achan, a Judahite, violated a sacred ban by stealing gold, silver, and fine clothing. He involved himself and his house in the destruction of Jericho. “Then Joshua said to Achan, ‘My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me’” (Joshua 7:19).

To give glory to God:

• Acknowledge His omniscience (all-knowing), i.e. He is just.
• Repent and make an open confession before Him.
• Present a complete truthful account–-nothing hidden.

When Jesus healed a man blind from birth, the Pharisees attempted to discredit Jesus while still appearing to honor God. “So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, ‘Give glory to God by telling the truth, because we know Jesus is a sinner’” (John 9:24). Hoping to break the man’s testimony, the Jews badgered him. The former beggar chose safe ground, his own experience. This man’s open confession provided the weight of simple truth behind it, giving glory to God.

Give Glory to God – Blessed or Cursed
By concealing the truth we fail to give glory to God, incurring His wrath. The prophet, Jeremiah, urged God’s people to repent and confess their pride. “Listen! Do not be proud, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late...” (Jeremiah 13:15-17). Offering God our “second best” in worship, profanes the name of the Lord. As a faithful Levite, Malachi, notes the deceit of the priests as well as the laymen by offering corrupt, i.e. blemished sacrifices (Malachi 1:13-14). Once again God demanded the truth. “If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings...’” (Malachi 2:2, NKJV). In Revelation, the gospel of everlasting truth is to be proclaimed by all creation–-to give glory to God. In the heavens, an angel appears to the apostle John: “‘Fear God,’ he shouted, ‘Give glory to him [God]...’” (Revelation 14:6-7). The very foundations of the antichrist in the world shook as God’s judgment fell upon those who rejected the truth. Those who denied God’s glory and power blasphemed with lies. “They cursed the name of God...They did not repent and give him glory” (Revelation 16:8-9).

Give Glory to God – The Beauty
Those that choose to give glory to God discover reasons to celebrate daily. In our adoration, we set aside our fleshly nature to be set apart for God. As we worship the Lord of heaven and earth, we experience the beauty of His holiness (1 Chronicles 16:25-29). The reasons for giving glory to God can never be exhausted.

In Psalm 96, all earth is summoned to give glory to God. When Christ completed His work on earth, He entered into His glory in heaven. Clothed in robes of majesty and crowned in glory, the beauty of holiness is personified in Christ Jesus (Psalm 96:4-9). The psalmist, David, seems to be summoning the angels to give glory to God as well, worshiping Him in the beauty of His holiness. Even in thunder and storms, God’s glory resounds (Psalm 29:1-3).

As we worship in true holiness, the real beauty of God Himself is revealed. It is the beauty of the angels giving Him glory in the heavenly realm; it is the beauty of the saints, partaking of God’s divine nature.

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