Friday, July 8

To read this morning's office, click here.

Often we confess in a catechism or a creed or in a theological moment that our desire in all things is to glorify God. "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever," so reads The Westminster Catechism. This notion is more profound than we sometimes think and also more practical than we imagine.

In this morning's office, the psalmist prays "For your Name's sake" and "for your mercy's sake." And the Morning Psalm is almost a litany of the sins of those who do not care about God along with clear indicators of the righteousness of the one praying. That person understands life from the end: "Until I entered the sanctuary of God and discerned the end of the wicked."

The psalmist prays to God, not because he knows he's right but because he knows God is right. He wants God to be glorified. The same God who has redeemed him. Are we confident enough in God to stand with the psalmist?

Seeking God's glory involves seeking the glory of the God who has redeemed and restored us, who has embraced with grace, and who empowers us to embrace others with the same grace. Seeking God's glory involves knowing that God wants us to be uplifted and demonstrated to be the people of God. When we are uplifted, God's Name is seen for who God is: the glorious one.

God's Name is besmirched when his people's spirit sags, when his people's zeal cools, and when his people's love weakens: God's Name is honored when his people's spirit soars, when his people's zeal fires up, and when his people's love is enflamed.

May we glorify God today.