1 Feb 2013 by Tony Dibble-
Our ultimate destination is heaven. E M Bounds said that the one word which recurs in the Bible’s description of heaven is the word “glory”. The Bible also tells us that in all we do, no matter how unimportant, we do it for God’s glory (1 Cor 10:31)—not for our own personal sense of achievement. The Lord’s Prayer starts in glorifying GOD and closes in the same way: “for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory”.
Everything that is done is done for the glory of GOD. Even good comes out of evil. GOD is not the author of evil but the devil. However, despite the evil that is done, GOD makes good come out of evil (Gen 50:20).The evil that people do to us only works out in our favour in the end even though some temporary hardship may come to us. Whilst the devil may appear to have his way for a moment, we may be sure that God will bring something good to happen for His glory.
That is why when we go though difficulties we must never mistake such a situation as GOD abandoning us and the devil having a victory. We must never grumble and never be sad. We must praise and thank GOD in all things good or bad because our lives are built for GOD’s glory. GOD made us in His image. We have lost this image through sin entering the world. But GOD has restored that image through Christ who died for us and we are now to be shaped to be like Christ. That is how the glory of GOD is seen. Whatever stubborn man, the devil and sin have given rise to, will be defeated by the glory of GOD as He shapes things.
When we are hit by a tragedy, we should carefully reflect and realise that we should not curse or swear. Neither should we be lost in space. We must know where our help comes from: it is from GOD. We know He is in charge of all events as we pray and we trust that He will work it out for His glory. We must rest in His peace when trouble happens. Short-term difficulties enable us to keep in step with GOD.
As Bishop J C Ryle has said, we are not sitting in an arm-chair on the way to heaven. We are going through a process of holiness where we are refined and separated to GOD. Testing is not done to trap us into falling away from God but to sharpen us so that we are closer with GOD. The Bible tells us very clearly that “all things (not most, but all things) work together (not separately) for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to His purpose,” (Rom 8:28).
Therefore, nothing is meaningless in our lives and nothing is to be taken lightly. We need to put on spiritual spectacles as we do not wrestle with flesh and blood. Ours is a spiritual battle against evil powers (Eph 6:12). The devil wishes to see the name of GOD dishonoured by mankind. We must never make the mistake in tragedies to forget the glory of GOD as we do in good times. The battle is the LORD’S and we must not mess it up by aiding the enemy.
When Christ died on Calvary, even his disciples could not completely understand the full impact of what was happening. For a start, they slept through the prayer meeting in Gethsemane. Peter then resorted to an act of violence when the confrontation by the religious authorities began. Few people understood at the time, that the greatest event since creation was happening, all for the glory of GOD. Man was being saved from sin as the price and penalty for sin was being met by GOD’s love.
It took them a 40 day period after the resurrection, of meeting Christ and a further 40 days in the upper room in prayer to burst out onto the streets and
homes of Jerusalem with the message of GOD’s glory. And this was done in the power of the Holy Spirit and not on their own energy. They were used as vessels for GOD’s glory: that is how the glory of GOD is to radiate through us too.
We must be praising GOD always. Whether suffering a terminal illness or in traffic jams we must praise GOD for all events. There are no two ways about it. This is what honouring the glory of GOD all is about. The Psalms are praises of GOD despite some of the lowest moments in the life of its authors. The chief aim of man is to glorify GOD and to enjoy Him forever, as we have been taught.
Note: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering in Mullaloo Perth, Australia for about 7 years. Prior to this, he was at Church of Our Holy Saviour, Labuan, East Malaysia. When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he now worships at Faith Oasis Fellowship Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
References for pictures:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mLbzJd1WAk0/TD9Ofk8F33I/AAAAAAAAASc/reuBXqUuBjc/s1600/glory+to+god.jpg
http://edandbethbarnesministries.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/glory1.jpg
http://davidanthonyporter.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55043abd088340120a584a45c970b-320wi
https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/2473759874/golgotha-01.jpg
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