We often hear the phrase “To God be the glory”, but what does it mean? In theory, it’s easy to explain, God is to be exalted. In practice, it can be a little more difficult. It takes a true servant’s heart to allow God to receive the glory in all things. It is in our nature when we receive praise for something to feel a sense of pride, and that is not wrong, as long as we do not allow that pride to turn to arrogance. Sometimes people fail to give God the glory for a job well done.
You may remember the stories of Moses getting water from a rock. The first instance in Exodus 17. The Israelites had run out of water and were grumbling against Aaron and Moses. God instructed Moses to strike the rock at Horeb and water would come gushing out (Exodus 17:6). Moses did as he was instructed, and water gushed out of the rock. We read about the second instance in Numbers 20:1-10. The Israelites were once again out of water, so Moses and Aaron took the problem to God. There God instructed them to speak to rock and water would come from the rock. Moses stood before Israel addressing them as rebels, and as one could imagine, with an angry tone of voice. Then Moses took his staff and struck the rock and water came gushing out. This action cost Moses (and Aaron) entrance into the Promised Land. God made it very clear to Moses that it was his act of disobedience that failed to glorify God that led to God only allowing to see the Promised Land from a distance. It is recorded for us in Deuteronomy 32:48-52–48 On that same day the Lord told Moses, 49 “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. 50 There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. 51 This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. 52 Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”
It seems like a small thing that Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, however, this story shows us the importance of glorifying God in all things by listening to His word and being obedient. Moses was special to God. In Numbers 12, God tells Moses’ siblings, Mariam and Aaron, that He speaks with Moses face to face and not in visions or riddles. Even at this, God denied this special servant the opportunity to finish what he started because of a lapse of judgment, or mor accurately, a lapse in obedience which does not glorify God.
God is the Giver of all good gifts. God is the Author of life and of our faith. God deserves all glory and honor for all things. Without God, we have and we are nothing. Give God His righteous place on the throne of your life!
Read James 4:1-10