December 16

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness. — Ps 115:1 BSB

Many of God's dear children experience only gentle reminders of His mercy, brief touches of His gracious hand, and a softening of their hearts under a sense of undeserved goodness and love. Yet, they feel a real relief in what their faith holds onto and brings them, and they give glory to God. At times, when they hear the Word preached and receive a blessing from it, or when a precious promise comes to their soul with divine power, or they are favored in secret prayer, and light and life fill their minds, they see such glory in what is revealed to them that they glorify God for what they see and feel. But especially when the way of salvation is opened up to them, when Christ is revealed to their soul by God's power, when they understand how God can be both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus—then, as they behold the greatness of the mystery of Christ’s person, they freely and fully give all the glory to God.

They cry, “Lord, who am I that You would have pity and compassion on me, that You would touch my heart by Your grace, plant Your fear in my heart, lead me to pray and seek Your face, listen to my weak cries, give me hope in Your mercy, and bless my soul with a revelation of Your dear Son? Who am I to be favored like this when thousands are left to perish in their sins? Oh, how glorious You are! How good You are! Your mercy melts my heart, and Your goodness softens my soul. To Your name be all the honor and praise, now and forever.”

This is giving glory to God. True faith always gives God the glory, never taking any credit for itself, but ascribing all glory to God as the author and finisher of faith, until blessings here lead to blessings in eternity, and streams of grace on earth flow into the endless ocean of glory in heaven.