Glorifying God is to adore, exalt, venerate, deify, or elevate God. We glorify God in many ways, our thanks, our praises, our utterances, our deeds, our thoughts and our substance. Glorifying God is the true expression of inner contentment always with God in all circumstances without exception. Glorifying God is predicated on knowing who God is.
In glorifying God, we honour God’s supremacy. Every circumstance is for his glory. Jesus in his answer to why a man was born blind, whether his sins or his parents, said neither of them but that God’s works might be revealed in him, John 9: 2-3. About the illness of Lazarus, Jesus said in John 11: 4, this illness does not lead to death, rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. What are the biblical approaches to glorifying God even for what we term as negative?
In thanksgiving
In glorifying God by way of thanks, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Paul says it is a divine duty according to God’s will. It is done not only on our lips but from the depths of our hearts. David said in Psalms 111: 1; 138: 1, I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart. How often do we glorify God with a grateful heart?
In our praises
We glorify God in praises. Deuteronomy 10: 21 says he (God) is your praise. So in praise, we confess God to his glory. 1Chronicles 16: 9 says sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works. God is glorified when we praise him for all his wondrous works not part of it. Wondrous work is what we cannot understand, positive or negative. How and when do we applaud God?
In our utterances
We glorify God by our utterances, 1 Samuel 2: 3 says talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. Some of our utterances are not worthy of God’s glory. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4: 29 let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. Are our words edifying?
In our actions/inactions
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6: 20, you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. The way or the purpose to which we engage our bodies will glorify or disgrace God. Psalms 11: 7 says for the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. God is glorified in our good works of righteousness. Jesus said in Matthew 5: 16 let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do we reflect God’s righteousness to his glory?
In our thoughts
Our thoughts and imaginations are no secret to God, Genesis 6: 5; Psalms 94: 11; 1 Corinthians 3: 20. Regarding our thoughts, David said in Psalms 139: 23 search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. David needed a pure thought to God’s glory. God who knows all our thoughts said in Jeremiah 16: 17, for my eyes are on all their way; they are not hidden from my presence, nor is their iniquity concealed from my sight. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2: 16, we have the mind of Christ. Do we have the mind of Christ?
In our worship
God is not glorified in vain worship, but in holiness and in truth, Matthew 15: 9. Deuteronomy 10: 20 says, you shall fear the LORD your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast. David cautioned in Psalms 96: 6 worship the LORD in holy splendor, tremble before him, all the earth. Psalms 100: 2 says worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Worship that glorifies God must be honest, holy, joyful, and in spirit. John 4: 24 says God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. How do we honestly assess our worship? Is it in vain or in truth?
With our substance
In glorifying God with our substance, we must show love and care. Jesus said in John 13: 34-35, love one another. Paul said in Romans 13: 8 owe no one anything, except to love one another. Jesus told Peter in John 21: 15-17 feed my lambs. We glorify God by caring for the poor and needy, Matthew 25: 35-40; delivering justice. Exodus 23: 6 says you shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in their lawsuits. Leviticus 19: 15 says do not render an unjust judgment or be partial to the poor. Isaiah 10: 2 says do not turn aside the needy from justice and rob the poor. Are we honest with care to glorify Christ Jesus?
In expressing our faith
How we express our faith in God in trying times matters. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12: 10, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. His circumstances did not obstruct or frustrate his appreciation of his exaltation for God. He wrote in Philippians 4: 11, I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Our attitude tells of our faith and faith glorifies God. An unwavering faith pleases God. How is our faith?
In every circumstance
We must glorify God in everything we do. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10: 31, whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. This applies to everything that concerns us. 1 Peter 4: 11 says whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. He wrote also in 1 Peter 4: 6 if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. Do we put God first in every situation so he would be glorified?
In good times, Jeremiah 33: 11; Psalms 136: 26 say give thanks to God for his steadfast love endures forever. This is a call to glorify God for the past, present and the future. In bad times, Paul and Silas glorified God in prison, Acts 16: 25. Daniel glorified God in the lion’s den, Daniel 1: 6. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego glorified God in the fiery furnace of blazing fire, Daniel 3: 6 – 30. When do we glorify God and how do we glorify God?
Prayer
Our dear Father in heaven, we thank you for expounding your word to us and by which we can glorify your holy name. Please teach us to be content with you in all circumstances with pure hearts and with a spirit of truth. Where we have fallen short of your glory, please forgive us and cleanse us in the blood of Jesus Christ which you made available on the cross for us. Make us anew in Jesus’ holy name, Amen!!
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