Why Glorify God?

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

Isaiah 61:3

GOD TALKS—A LOT—ABOUT His people glorifying Him. He repeatedly calls us to praise Him. On one level this can seem kind of jarring. Why does God require us to tell Him how awesome He is? A quiet little part of our souls may ask, Does He have ego needs or something? It can feel a bit awkward to read these commands to glorify God.

But if we think about it, the call to glorify God really is a call to align ourselves with reality. It is a mandate to embrace the truth. Glorifying God is simply the rational response to who He is. When you see the Grand Canyon, it takes your breath away. It is an utterly appropriate response to ooh and aah and stare in slack-jawed wonder. Glorifying and praising God is a version of oohing and aahing at a supernatural wonder.

Awestruck adoration is what happens when we begin to see what a grand, kind, merciful, and powerful God we serve. Because He created all things and is greater than everything He spoke into existence, what could possibly be more amazing than God? And then He became one of us, died for us, and secured our salvation. To speak the truth about God, meditate on His character, and dedicate our lives to His service is to glorify Him. It isn’t that He needs to keep hearing how amazing He is. It’s that we need to keep remembering it!

BOTTOM LINE

Humans are fickle, easily distracted, and prone to embracing lies over truth. Glorifying and praising God reorients us to reality.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 145