Dear Church Family,
I opened my first sermon on the glory of God by noting I had gone to Amazon and other sites to shop for glory. I could not find it except for movies with the word in the title and brands of smoked sausage, chalk and beauty scrub. I encouraged you to look for the glory of God each day. We can be like Moses and ask that God show His glory. Let’s look at how another hero of the faith saw the glory of God.
After the ark of the prophet Nathan relayed to King David God’s promise that His love would rest on David’s descendants forever and his kingdom would never end. David marveled at the actions and character of God. [I must note that God reveals Himself in history through glorious actions that also show His holy character.] God had given many military victories. 2 Samuel 7 records David’s prayer of praise – a prayer we can echo and learn from.
David expresses awe that God would even think of blessing his family in such a way. David rests in the future plans of God and wonders, “Is this Your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?” To the chosen people of God, the answer is yes! God glorifies Himself by communing with His people. He is a personal God who knows His beloved by name. No other god is like that nor is it capable of doing so.
In v21 David recognizes God’s work must never be seen as just some random act. Ponder these words of insight, “For the sake of Your word and according to Your will, You have done this great thing and made it known to Your servant.” God has a vested interest in the affairs of His people and He will be honored in and through them. The doctrine of adoption further brings glory to God. His people call Him ‘Father’ and strive to bring Him glory as Jesus brought Him glory. God’s people pray to their ‘Heavenly Father’ who not only hears His children when they pray, but He answers according to His perfect will. Again, no other god is like that nor is it capable of doing so.
David follows in v22-24 with words that remind us that God will be glorified:
“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you,
as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on
earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself,
and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from
before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people
Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.”
David rejoices at the greatness of God who is unlike any other god ever. God reveals Himself. God redeems a people for Himself. God will be with His people forever. His people, also known as Israel and the church, serve as visual representatives of our glorious God. Again, no other god is like that nor is it capable of doing so. As David praised God for His great works, may we do so as well.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin