May 17

The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. — Ps 19:8 BSB

Just as we would not know how a sinner could be saved without a revelation of the doctrine of salvation—thus preventing us from glorifying God by our faith—so too, without a revelation of God’s commands, we would not know how to serve Him and thereby glorify Him by our obedience. Consider this, child of God. You long to glorify God in your body and spirit, which are His (1 Cor. 6:20). You desire that whatever you do, whether eating or drinking, you do it all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). There are moments when you mourn over your unfruitful heart and life, and you earnestly long to live in a way that brings honor and glory to the One who has done so much for you in both providence and grace. And if you do not feel such desires, then you are no true Christian and at best only a poor, worldly professor of religion.

So, when do you truly glorify God? Only when your life, walk, and conduct align with and are guided by the commands of His word. Consider this connection: We can only glorify God outwardly by doing His will, and we can only know His will—regarding our practical obedience—through the clear revelation He has given us in His word. Where is this revelation found? It is in His word, particularly in the preceptive parts of it. This is what makes God’s word "a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path." David prayed, “Order my steps in Your word,” and “Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,” because he knew it was only by walking in God’s word that he could please God and live for His praise.

We see many today who, in their own minds, think they are serving God by carrying out plans and schemes of their own devising, and they take pride in their so-called good works. But we can say of these efforts what Augustine said of the virtues of ancient Rome—that they are but “splendid sins,” or as the Church of England put it regarding works done before justification: "Since they are not done as God has willed and commanded, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin."