Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness. - Ps. 115:1 NIV
How many times throughout history have God's children tried to claim the glory for themselves. It started in Heaven when a beautiful prince thought he could be like God. It continued in the Garden of Eden where both woman and man were tempted to believe there was a knowledge that was better than the knowledge of God. It continued on down through the ages: to Pharaoh, who thought he could outfox the God of the Children of Israel and keep them in bondage; to Aaron who created a golden calf when the Israelites thought Moses was on the mountain with God for too long; to Saul, when he thought he was the source of his power and success as the king of Israel; to the various kings that succeeded him who thought their power was their own; and on and on, down to the present day where televangelists convince their audiences that their power can be purchased by a love offering.
The Psalmist knew this when he said in Psalms 111:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise. - Ps. 111:10 NIV
The search for glory and praise for our own efforts is the ultimate vanity. We are sheltered by a God who loves us with an unending love. What more can we want? Can all the glory and praise, that the world could afford, be worth more.
Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you. - Ps. 116:7 NIV
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