TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 86
All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. - Psalm 86:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
One music professor described Johann Sebastian Bach as “arguably the greatest composer in the history of Western music and a man whose staunch Lutheran faith informed his life, his career, and his view of music. He believed that music was a 'refreshment of spirit,' as some of the title pages of his works stated. He believed that music was a powerful tool for the proclamation of the gospel, as his cantatas, Passions, organ chorales, and other compositions clearly show. And ultimately, he believed that music brought glory to God, as the initials SDG (Soli Deo Gloria, 'To God alone be glory') at the end of most of his scores bear witness.”

Soli Deo Gloria. Giving God glory is at the center of the worship-filled life. A familiar statement of faith reminds us that the purpose of humanity is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” But what does this really mean? How can we bring glory to the One who is already infinitely glorious? The goal in our study this month is to deepen our understanding of what it means to glorify God and to motivate us toward more disciplined and passionate living for His glory. The devotions are divided into three main sections. Initially, we'll consider biblical passages on praise and worship, since exalting God's name is certainly one way to bring Him glory. Second, we'll take a look at what kinds of actions glorify the Lord and why. Finally, we'll examine passages from the Gospel of John for lessons from the life of Christ about what it means to glorify God.

In Psalm 86, the writer is weak, trusting, in trouble, and needs mercy, while God is forgiving, loving, compassionate, patient, and faithful. David longed for the joy, strength, and mercy that only God can give. At the very center of the psalm (vv. 8-10), we find His transcendence, incomparable greatness, and right to universal worship. “I will glorify your name forever” is the only possible response (v. 12)!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In order to pray as David did in today's psalm, we need to cultivate a knowledge and appreciation of God's attributes and character. David's praise flowed from a deep knowledge of Scripture and a deep love for the Lord. If God is indeed to be glorified in our lives, we need to pursue the same spiritual unity of head and heart found in the psalms of David. One way to unite your Bible study and prayer time is to pray through this psalm, using the words of Scripture to express the desires of your heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Chronicles 16:23-36
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name . . . Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. - 1 Chronicles 16:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
The second half of Romans 1 describes the progressive effects of sin on human thought and action and the growing moral corruption and degradation that follows from a refusal to worship the Creator (Rom. 1:18-32). Based on the natural world alone, people should know enough to seek Him and are “without excuse” for their rejection and suppression of the truth. How did Paul describe the root sin? “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened . . . [They] exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images” or idols.

To glorify God, then, is to recognize His worthiness to be worshiped—and to fail to glorify God is to worship something else, which is sure to be wrong. Today's reading, a psalm of David composed for the occasion of the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (parts of this song are found in Psalms 96, 105, and 106), shows us the proper recognition that God is worthy and the proper response of worshiping and giving glory to God. Everything that He is and does calls forth praise, so much so that only willful sin can blind us to His incomparable greatness.

The key verse in the passage reads: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” (v. 29). “Ascribe” basically means to recognize the truth of something, to name it for what it is, and the truth is that honor and glory and worship are “due his name.” We are to see and proclaim the truth of who God is—His strength, splendor, holiness, and lovingkindness. “The Lord reigns,” pure and simple (v. 31). The destiny of history is for all nations to praise Him (vv. 23-28), eagerly joined by all of creation (vv. 30-33; cf. Rom. 8:19-22). God is the Creator, the King, the Everlasting One. His love endures forever, and His justice and power will carry the day.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Joy stands out clearly in today's reading as a quality closely associated with God's glory. He is joy, and when we glorify Him we feel joyful. We are glad, we rejoice, we give thanks, we cry out our praises, we fall on our faces, we dance like David, we raise our hands. The nations sing, the seas resound, and the fields are jubilant. Are God's power, wisdom, and love just dry theological facts for you? The poetry of Scripture, especially the Psalms, can help infuse these facts with joy!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 69:30-36
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. - Psalm 69:30
TODAY IN THE WORD
Musician Israel Houghton has a passion for worship that is visible throughout his work as a church worship leader and Grammy Award-winning recording artist. He recently told an interviewer: “I believe I am existing in this generation to help the church worldwide see that we don't have to wall ourselves off and say, 'This is how we do it, so we're just going to do it like this.' Worship is not for us. It's not about, 'What can I get out of this moment?' It's about offering. It's about sacrifice.” His recent album, The Power of One, clearly shows this vision, including the idea that worshiping God goes hand in hand with seeking justice and caring for people.

Giving glory to God is often accomplished in music. Psalms like Psalm 69 might start with questions, complaints, or cries for help, but they always end with praise, expressions of faith, and descriptions of God's greatness. Very often these are framed as praise for acts of God not yet done, but treated as if they were already accomplished. That's exactly the sort of thing going on in today's reading, providing the rich background for David's declaration: “I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving” (v. 30).

We see here at least four results from a God-glorifying attitude of faith and praise. First, God is pleased (v. 31). It might have been possible for the Israelites to offer insincere animal sacrifices, but insincere praise is a contradiction in terms. True praise comes from our hearts and gladdens the heart of God. Second, the poor are encouraged (v. 32). The word “poor” here means spiritually needy—and we are all spiritually needy! What makes us glad, or, what do we “see”? God's deliverance and people's praise. Third, prayers are answered (vv. 33, 35-36). God faithfully hears and responds to our petitions and intercessions. Fourth and finally, nature joins in with our praise (v. 34). The entire earth is waiting to be called to worship!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What are your favorite hymns and songs of praise? Perhaps some were sung in your church last Sunday; perhaps some are playing on your CD player right now. No doubt the words of these songs, like David's, are filled with affirmations of our neediness and God's greatness. No doubt the music of these songs lifts up our hearts to our loving “Abba” and strengthens our faith. As your heart joins in with the spirit and truth of the words and music in these songs, God is pleased and glorified.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 24
From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.” - Isaiah 24:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Every day, President Barack Obama is handed a purple folder with ten letters written by ordinary Americans. Many of the letters deal with the current economic downturn and the struggles people are experiencing. A small business owner wrote of his fears that he would be forced to lay off employees. A homeowner described her family's difficulties in making mortgage payments after her husband lost his job and had to accept one that paid much less. The White House press secretary said, “They help him focus on the real problems people are facing.”

What a privilege to have the attention of one of the most powerful men in the world! Do we hold our access to the Lord in such high esteem? What an incredible honor to have a personal relationship with the Sovereign God! When the story of history has been fully unfolded, the ends of the earth will be singing His praises, “Glory to the Righteous One” (v. 16).

In Isaiah 24, we see that fulfilling God's promises and establishing His kingdom include the necessity of judgment on sin. Because He is powerful, it will be done, and nothing can stop it. Because He is just, He will not show favoritism based on social position or economic status (v. 2). And because He is holy, sin and disobedience will result in punishment (vv. 5-6). Such things cannot simply be passed over—the guilt of human rebellion against Him is very real (vv. 20-22). The judgment is vividly described with images of burning, withering, destruction, and desolation (vv. 7-13).

Even in the midst of this, a faithful remnant of God's followers exists, shouting for joy and acclaiming His majesty (vv. 14-16). Shouldn't they be weeping over such terrible events? No, they rejoice because sin is defeated. They rejoice in the accomplishment of God's justice and the triumph of His holiness.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Enmeshed as we are in the day-to-day events of history, it's sometimes hard to keep the big picture in mind. Sometimes it looks as though injustice is winning the day or unrighteousness has the upper hand in our nation or in the world. But it isn't so! Whether we can understand it or not, God's sovereign will for history is being done and His victory is guaranteed. The “end of the story” is never in doubt. Amen!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you. - Psalm 63:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
There is a worldwide water crisis, and it's growing. According to the United Nations, about 3.9 billion people, or nearly half the world's population, will be experiencing severe fresh water shortages by the year 2030. Even now, the majority of diseases in developing countries are linked to an insufficient supply of clean water, with children as the group hit hardest.

Water is life, meaning that thirst is a desire for life (v. 1). Earthly things are a dry and empty desert, unable to provide any spiritual fulfillment. David was lost in a “dry and weary land” from which it seemed God was absent. God's presence was the water and meaning and joy of David's life. Indeed, God's love was valued as “better than life.”

David remembered what it was like to worship the Lord in the sanctuary (vv. 2-5). He knew well that God is powerful, glorious, and loving. Though spiritually thirsty and missing His presence, he affirmed that this delight would be renewed: “My lips will glorify you . . . My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods.”

The vow to praise and glorify God was not just for public worship, but for the psalmist's private life as well (vv. 6-8). Whether singing in congregational worship or awake in the depths of the night, David's faith was the same. He knew God would help, protect, and uphold him. Like a mother bird, He would keep David safe under His wings (v. 7; cf. Matt. 23:37).

By recalling these key spiritual truths, the king could rekindle a spirit of faith and praise, even when he was going through tough times and God had not yet restored a refreshing sense of His presence. David understood that to know who God is means to enjoy who He is, and to enjoy who He is means to bring Him glory. “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever” turn out to be not two actions, but one.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Desiring the presence of God in our lives, and expressing that desire, is one way to bring Him glory. Why? Because expressing a longing for God's presence shows that we value it above all else in our lives—to us He is the “pearl of great price” (Matt. 13:45-46). This desire also glorifies God because it is a desire born of faith. To long for His presence even when it feels as though He is absent shows our bedrock belief in His faithful lovingkindness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 4
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power. - Revelation 4:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
The popular praise song, “Mighty to Save” (a phrase from Zephaniah 3:17) begins: “Everyone needs compassion / A love that's never failing / Let mercy fall on me / Everyone needs forgiveness / The kindness of a Savior / The hope of nations / Savior, He can move the mountains / My God is mighty to save / He is mighty to save / Forever, Author of salvation / He rose and conquered the grave / Jesus conquered the grave.”

Our Sovereign Lord is all-powerful over life, death, and everything in between! When we acknowledge His sovereignty, we bring Him glory. As Paul wrote: “At the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). At the start of John's vision, as seen in today's reading, he found himself in the throne room of heaven. He described what he saw with images and symbols, including a rainbow, jewels, lightning flashes, thunder crashes, blazing lamps, and a crystal sea. The general impression is one of incredible light and beauty and power.

Circling God's throne are twenty-four elders seated on twenty-four smaller thrones. These seem to be representatives of believing humanity. Their white robes indicate that they have been forgiven and cleansed in Christ (as in Rev. 7:14), while their golden crowns symbolize rewards received for obedience and perseverance (as in James 1:12). Also around God's throne are four living creatures, probably angelic beings. Their many eyes represent their attentiveness, vigilance, and God-given knowledge of all things. Both the elders and the living creatures praise the Lord, giving Him glory as the Ruler and Sovereign of everything that exists. The four living creatures exalt His holiness, power, and eternality (v. 8), while the twenty-four elders take as their theme His worthiness to be worshiped and His work of creation (v. 11). He is the focal point of history!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
One day the climax of history will arrive and everyone on earth, indeed the earth itself, will worship the Lord: “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water' ” (Rev. 14:6-7).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 96
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. - Psalm 96:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma organized the Silk Road Project as a way for different cultures to share their musical traditions. Centuries ago, the 5,000-mile-long Silk Road connected Europe and Asia, allowing not only trade but also art and culture to move and mingle. Ma recruited musicians from around the world to create an orchestra that would retrace that route, explore a variety of music, play original and established works, and promote community-based cultural and educational arts events. Said Ma: “I think every member of the ensemble feels that they're better at their own tradition after they've opened up into something else.”

From something old comes something new. We find the same in today's reading—from the ancient, timeless themes of God's love and faithfulness, the psalmist leads the congregation in singing a new song before the Lord. How can the songs be new when the themes are old? Because, though the truths remain the same, they can and must be framed in new artistic forms, incarnated in fresh “packaging” for different cultures and different generations.

What are good topics for praise? God's name, salvation, glory, marvelous deeds, greatness, creation, majesty, strength, holiness, sovereignty, judgment, justice, righteousness, and truth are all mentioned in this relatively brief psalm. What actions are involved in praise? The verbs here include singing, declaring, coming into His courts (presence), bringing an offering, rejoicing, being jubilant, fearing, trembling, and spreading the word to the nations (v. 10).

Praise that brings glory to God is both new and old, as described above. It is universal, with all nations and all creation joining in. It sees God for who He is and worships Him alone (vv. 4-5). This praise is public, with God's character being proclaimed far and wide. It is reverent and awe-inspired as well as full of joy and gladness (vv. 9-13). And this praise is ongoing, offered to the Lord day after day as a habit of the heart (v. 2).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If we were writing this psalm, it's unlikely that we would center the final verse around justice and judgment (v. 13). To some modern ears, these difficult concepts sound harsh— occasions for theological analysis, perhaps, but not for joyful praise and worship. But the fact is that we should be rejoicing in God's justice as much as we rejoice in His love. Love, righteousness, truth, and justice all go hand-in-hand, and each of them should be part of how we glorify the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 2:5-11
Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent movie by Iranian director Nader Talebzadeh, The Messiah, depicts the life of Christ from a Muslim perspective. In this version, Jesus is not the Son of God, but a “beautiful prophet.” He was not crucified, but ascended to heaven on the night of the Last Supper. The person who was actually crucified was His betrayer. A miracle-worker and teacher, Jesus is said to have prophesied many times the coming of the final prophet, Mohammad.

As a gesture of respect for Christian tradition, Talebzadeh included alternate endings for the movie, one from the Koran and one from the Bible. Nonetheless, Christians committed to truth know that the Christ in his movie is a lie. Jesus was indeed the Son of God who brought redemption, and His death and resurrection were the turning point of history.

As seen in today's reading, it was all part of God's master plan of redemption. In this passage, glory and glorifying come into the picture in verses 10 and 11, when God exalts His risen Son and every knee bows and every tongue confesses “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (see Rev. 16:1-9). As believers, we've got an early start on this glorious activity!

Who is Christ? He is the Son of God who obeyed His Father perfectly, humbling Himself by being born as a human being and coming to earth to die for the sins of the world. He gave up the heights of heaven for the depths of death.

We can hardly grasp what He did for us—the enormous gap between His rightful glory and His guilt-bearing mission of redemption. Where are we in this picture? None of this depends on us. God the Father and God the Son are the ones who do it; we are involved “only” as worshipers. That is, we cannot add to the reality or truth of God's plan, but we do have the privilege of confessing and declaring the glory of it.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Those with power tend to flaunt it—it's just human nature (Luke 22:24-27). The more they have, the more they strut and preen, so to speak. Yet Jesus, “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15), with legions of angels at His command, chose to walk around in human flesh, getting tired and hungry and insulted and misunderstood—for us. His incredible love and humility should call forth the same from us as we follow Him each day.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 4:28-37
Everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. - Daniel 4:37
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Pride is a vice,” said eighteenth-century writer Samuel Johnson, “which pride itself inclines every man to find in others, and to overlook in himself.” Another anonymous saying warns: “Temper gets you into trouble. Pride keeps you there.” Author and Christian apologist C. S. Lewis observed: “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you.”

These observations describe well the sin for which Nebuchadnezzar was judged in Daniel 4. He ruled Babylon, the military superpower and leading culture of its day, and was therefore the most powerful man on earth. When his pride grew, God sent him a dream as a warning. The dream was about a strong tree that got chopped down. Even an emperor should not imagine he is beyond the reach of God's justice and power, for the Lord has a habit of humbling the proud (James 4:6).

This warning was even more specific: Nebuchadnezzar would not just be defeated in battle or suffer a political setback—he would be personally shamed and humiliated. Daniel explicitly told the king that the purpose would be to demonstrate God's sovereignty over all human kingdoms (v. 17). Although God had shown mercy by putting Daniel in position to interpret the dream and urge a repentant response, everything happened exactly as foretold. Nebuchadnezzar made a prideful statement about his own power and glory (v. 30), triggering judgment. For seven years—too long to keep it hushed up—he was out of his mind and lived like an animal.

The king was released from this embarrassing affliction only when he publicly acknowledged the one true God's eternality, power, righteousness, justice, and supremacy. Nebuchadnezzar brought glory to God for who He is and what He has done. Sin seeks glory for self, but worship gives glory to whom it is due.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you think you're beyond God's reach? Think again! “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). He can take away any part of your life, and He can give it back again, not arbitrarily but as part of His divine plan. How should we respond? Like Job: “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:1-9
Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! - Revelation 19:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Dating and courtship are a rough business in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan. Many marriages in that country are a result of a traditional though illegal custom called ala kachuu, or “grab and run.” Sometimes this is a mutually agreed upon elopement, but more often it is a kind of kidnapping. The woman is abducted and taken to the man's home. By the next morning, she is a “ruined woman” unless she marries him. Surveys indicate that currently at least a third of Kyrgyz brides are wed in this manner.

Thank God that the Wedding Supper of the Lamb will be an entirely different kind of event! As seen in today's reading, it is a celebratory feast. God will condemn and destroy the “great prostitute” Babylon, then the Lamb and Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, will officially take His bride, the church (v. 7). The “wedding DJ” will be the Holy Spirit, the favorite musical theme will be: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God” (v. 1). Judging by these verses, it will be a pretty noisy wedding! There's “the roar of a great multitude” and shouting “like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder.” We might picture a stadium full of cheering fans roaring as the clock winds down on a championship victory.

It's interesting that the pinnacle event of history is a Wedding. Throughout Scripture, God is pictured as a husband and His people as a wife, although that wife is sometimes spiritually unfaithful (as in the book of Hosea). At this feast, she wears a special wedding dress made of fine linen, symbolizing righteous acts, which has been “given her to wear” (v. 8). She didn't earn it, for salvation is God's gift. Even so, the bride has taken care to make herself ready, which is to say, believers need to do the good deeds God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Then we'll be ready to join in the chorus of glory!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Marriage is not just a metaphor. Our marriages are to be living illustrations of God's love (see Eph. 5:25). Many resources are available for those of us who need help along the way. You might be interested in reading The Marriage You've Always Wanted, by Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages. Two other good recent books are by John Piper: This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence and Velvet Steel: The Joy of Being Married to You: Selections from the Poems of John Piper.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 4:18-25
He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. - Romans 4:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
In a recent graduation address, Wheaton College president Duane Litfin spoke of discipleship: “These hard words [Luke 14:26-27] are designed to remind us that serving Christ costs us everything. Compared to our allegiance to Him, all other allegiances, no matter how important, pale into the background. They're like stars in the daytime, outshone by a far brighter thing. When you set out to follow Jesus Christ, there was no fallback plan, no parachute clause—all other bridges were burned. In fact, Jesus says, without that, you cannot be His disciple. Nothing less will do. No half-heartedness, no competing allegiances. With Jesus, it's all or nothing.”

Faithful discipleship brings glory to God. Our key verse today describes Abraham's commitment to obedience to God. Specifically, he believed God would give him a son, just as He said He would. From a human perspective, such faith was “against all hope” and reason, for Abraham was 100 years old, “his body was as good as dead,” and “Sarah's womb was also dead” (vv. 18-19). He knew and faced these facts, but as discouraging as they were, they didn't weaken his faith in God as a sure promise keeper (v. 21).

Abraham was even “strengthened in his faith” by God Himself. Saying he “gave glory to God” means that he thanked God ahead of time for keeping His promise. When God keeps any promise, but especially one that is humanly impossible, we see clearly why He deserves all our praise and glory.

In what he did, Abraham modeled discipleship. The lives of all who follow the Lord should through faith bring God glory, just as Abraham did by trusting Him completely. Furthermore, our faith is a gift of God. Just as He strengthened Abraham's faith, He strengthens ours—we cannot boast in it. As Dr. Litfin said: “No halfheartedness, no competing allegiances. With Jesus, it's all or nothing.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To believe God will keep His promises is to give Him glory. Reason says, “Sit back; wait and see; the proof is in the pudding.” But faith says, “Take a stand, take a risk, follow Christ into the unknown, for He has said He will never leave you or forsake you” (see Heb. 13:5-6). Whatever you do, God will keep His promises and His name will be glorified, but you have a choice about how to respond to this spiritual truth. Choose faith!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 34:1-10
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. - Psalm 34:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In God's Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms, campus pastor Ben Patterson portrays the psalms as lessons in prayer, “learning to desire the things God wants to give, and then asking him for them.” He wrote: “The Psalms can help us pour out our hearts to God. All the joys, pleasures, hopes, fears, despairs, doubts, heartaches, terrors, and longings of which we are capable are mirrored, clarified, sanctified, and transformed in the Psalms, as are all the ways we may pray: supplication, intercession, praise, thanks, lament, and meditation.”

Psalm 34 is one of these marvelous lessons in prayer and faith. The bottom line is much the same as in yesterday's devotion—trusting in the Lord brings Him glory. But notice the curious occasion: David wrote this psalm while on the run from Saul, after pretending to be insane before the Philistines in order to defuse their suspicions.

As with Abraham and the idea of two elderly people having a baby, this was a “messy,” real-world story, not an inspirational wall poster with butterflies and waterfalls. Faith that brings God glory is often “messy” and real-world in the same way in our lives. We're called to trust Him in the midst of gritty, complicated, and difficult realities.

As verse 3 makes clear, God is glorified when we persist in faith in the midst of such realities and call others to do the same, exalting His name together.

In this psalm, David spoke specifically of faith that God saves and delivers (vv. 4-7). David knew this not only personally, since he was running from Saul, but also from history. The radiant face of Moses and the protective presence of the angel of the Lord reminded him of God's covenant love and faithfulness.

Ultimately, this kind of faith savors and delights in God (vv. 8-10). Trust is more about the relationship and His presence than about what He does for us, though actually the two cannot be separated.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Imagine if you frequently read restaurant reviews, had a shelf full of cookbooks, and enjoyed looking at full-color photos of delicious dishes . . . but never actually ventured to cook or eat any of these meals for yourself. What a waste! In the same way, faith that knows many truths about God but never acts on them is bland and tasteless. The relationship isn't worth much. Want more of God? Take David's advice: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (v. 8).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jeremiah 13:15-25
Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. - Jeremiah 13:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
As he recounted in Discipleship Journal, Scott Morton once called a friend to complain about all the stress in his life. “Got a verse for you,” the friend responded. “Oh great,” thought Scott, “a Bible verse to patch up my shattered nerves.” Aloud he said, “Go ahead. What's the verse?” “First John 1:9,” his friend replied, referring to the well-known verse ex-horting believers to confess their sins. Shocked, Scott realized he'd been neglecting his relationship with God. The greatest barrier in this relationship is sin, but the solution of confession is always available.

Confessing sin brings God glory! At the start of today's reading, the prophet Jeremiah called the people to humble themselves and hear the word of the Lord (v. 15). The phrase “Give glory to the Lord your God” is a follow-up call to confession and repentance, for people cannot truly worship with unconfessed sin in their hearts. The main barrier to confession is pride. The consequences of failing to confess were first given in metaphorical terms—they would experience darkness rather than light, they would stumble rather than stand firm (v. 16).

It gave Jeremiah no pleasure to deliver this message. If the warning was fulfilled, he would “weep bitterly” (v. 17). The passage then goes on to make explicit the consequences of continuing pride and unrepentant hearts (vv. 18-25). God's people would be conquered and led into exile, a future they thought was impossible due to their status as “God's people.” Their main sin was idolatry; their worship at high places was like sexual immorality. Your wicked actions are habitual, said the prophet: You “are accustomed to doing evil” (v. 23).

Confession and repentance include the idea of turning from sin to righteousness, and God is pleased to strengthen us to do it. This process is founded on His mercy, grace, and holiness at work in our lives, and His name is glorified when we confess our sins.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
First John 1:9, mentioned in today's illustration, encourages us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Though our sins might be different from those of the Israelites, and though military conquest and exile might not be at stake, the fact remains that sin has negative consequences in our lives while righteousness is how God created us to live. Confession is a wonderful way to restore a close relationship with Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 6:1-8
See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. - Isaiah 6:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
One day in 1956, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. received news that his Montgomery, Alabama, home had been bombed. He returned home and found his family safe, but violence was in the air. A crowd was gathering; rage was rising. From the front porch, King spoke these words: “If you have weapons, take them home; if you do not have them, please do not seek to get them. We cannot solve this problem through retaliatory violence. We must meet violence with nonviolence. Remember the words of Jesus: ”˜He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword' . . . Jesus still cries out in words that echo across the centuries: ”˜Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; pray for them that despitefully use you.' This is what we must live by. We must meet hate with love.”

Forgiveness can be both strong and painful, as Isaiah also discovered in today's reading. This classic passage on the calling and commissioning of the prophet teaches us that while sin brings shame, confession of sin is cause for rejoicing because of the greatness of God's forgiveness. From the perspective of our month's topic of glorifying God, this happened to Isaiah in a context where, not by accident, God's glory is paramount. The images are stunning and awe-inspiring—a throne in heaven, the temple, the train of God's robe filling the temple, thunder, smoke, and angels proclaiming His holiness: “The whole earth is full of his glory” (v. 3).

Seeing a glorious vision of the glory of God in which God was being glorified, Isaiah was immediately overwhelmed with a sense of his personal sin and the nation's sinfulness (v. 5). God offered forgiveness in the form of a hot coal touched to the prophet's lips, a symbol of his calling (v. 7; cf. Jer. 1:9; Dan. 10:16). Divine forgiveness is a powerful, painful, cleansing reality, and the first step in His plans to use us for His purposes (v. 8).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In your daily devotions, one of your main goals is no doubt simply to meet with God, to sense His presence as you begin your day. But there's nothing simple about it! All it took to spur Isaiah's agonized cry, “Woe is me!” (v. 5), was a realistic sense of God's presence. We're not suggesting you cry, “Woe is me!” over your morning coffee, but you could praise God and ask Him to reveal to you more fully the purifying effect of His presence in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 7
My son, give glory to the Lord . . . Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me. - Joshua 7:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the beginning days of the early church, Barnabas sold some land and gave the money to the Apostles. Perhaps noticing how much praise he'd received for his sacrificial generosity, a couple named Ananias and Sapphira decided to do the same . . . almost. They kept part of the money for themselves, but told Peter they were donating the full price from their land sale. God knew, of course, and for lying to Him they were both struck dead. “Great fear seized the whole church,” as well it should have (Acts 4:32-5:11). Lying to the Lord is a blasphemous and terrible thing.

Telling the truth, by contrast, brings Him glory. We see this clearly in the story of Achan. During the epic victory at Jericho, Achan had stolen a robe, silver, and gold and hidden them for himself. Since he was a soldier on the winning side, why were these things not considered spoils of war? Because they had been dedicated to the Lord (v. 11), who had given Israel the victory in a miraculous way. When Achan stole these items, he was actually trying to steal glory from God! When the Israelites suffered defeat at Ai, he had to have known that his actions were the reason, yet he didn't step forward. When Joshua, at the Lord's command, ordered a national consecration and assembly, Achan again had to have known that his sin was the reason, yet again he didn't step forward. Not even when the narrowing process was taking place, from tribe to clan to family, did he step forward. Only when Joshua charged him directly did Achan confess.

Joshua's charge to tell the truth is interestingly phrased: “Give glory to the Lord . . . and give him the praise” (v. 19). Though Achan had been caught in a heinous sin and faced capital punishment and enduring infamy, it was still an occasion for praise at the national level because sin was being rooted out of God's holy people and the covenant was being honored.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do we have a price? Achan's seemed rather low. With God's glory, the covenant, military victory, and the Promised Land at stake, he sold his righteousness and integrity for a handful of valuables he could hide under his tent. In the choices we make every day, God's glory and the gospel witness are at stake, yet sometimes we trade them for lesser things—a pay raise? Our own convenience? Avoiding ridicule? Only God knows. And since He does know, why not always and uncompromisingly put His glory first?