When we seek our own glory, it means we are proud and arrogant. But does God seek his own glory? And if He does, wouldn’t that make him a megalomaniac? This is a commonly misunderstood issue, largely because we forget the difference between the infinitely great and holy and loving God, and ourselves, who are both finite and fallen. John Piper gives a brief but insightful answer to this question.
I think it’s fine and appropriate to quote from Christian speakers and authors we have benefited from. But while gratefully acknowledging I have benefited from these men and women, I do not put them on a pedestal.
My wife Nanci showed me this dog video. If you love dogs like we do, you’ll love this. Makes me smile and thank God for the wonders of His creation. When the dog in the video does what he was made to do, he pleases his master and glorifies his Creator. Psalm 148:10-13 puts it like this:
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.
The kind of God that appeals to most people today would be easy-going in his tolerance of our offenses. He would be gentle, kind, accommodating. He would have no violent reactions. Unhappily, even in the church we seemed to have lost the vision of the majesty of God. There is much shallowness and levity among us. Prophets and psalmists would probably say of us, "There is no fear of God before their eyes." In public worship our habit is to slouch or squat; we do not kneel nowadays, let alone prostrate ourselves in humility before God. It is more characteristic of us to clap our hands with joy than to blush with shame or tears.
Two weeks ago this moment, Nanci and I were flying home after the Resolved Conference in Palm Springs. Coming back to a green Oregon summer was nice after it hit 115 degrees in Palm Springs.
Nanci and I had a great time in Minneapolis this weekend. As the 3,500 who attended will attest, Desiring God Ministries knows how to put on a conference! Thanks especially to Scott Anderson who is the Events Director; he also did a great job last spring when we had the Desiring God Regional conference at our home church in—yes, no kidding—Boring, Oregon.
I'm the author of over 40 books and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. I love Jesus, my wife Nanci, and our daughters, sons and five grandsons!
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