Feb 16, 2024 Grateful for the Glory of God – Words of Grace Blog – February 16, 2024
The God of glory is determined to keep it, reveal it, and bring his people into it. For this, we are forever grateful.
Isaiah 48 is a chapter about how God dealt with his people in exile in Babylon. The chapter covers a lot of theological ground as it addresses sinfulness, idolatry, discipline, God’s sovereignty, and salvation.
In the middle of this chapter, we hear the LORD say, “My glory I will not give to another.” In context, this statement means that all of God’s activity among his people, which includes rebuke, refinement, and restoration to their homeland and city, was for his glory. This is why he did what he did in the way he did it.
If anyone else made that statement, we would no doubt accuse them of arrogance of the highest order. So why are we grateful for God to do all things for his glory? Why is it a good thing that he will not give it to another? Of the many reasons we could give, here are three.
The glory of God is reality. God is infinitely glorious. He alone is so. For glory to be removed from God would amount to non-reality. It is unimaginable, incomprehensible, and impossible for God not to possess ultimate glory. Where would we be if God himself did not uphold what is real?
God is righteous. Everything God does is right. He does everything in the right way. For God not to possess and preserve his glory would be for him to deny reality and to act unrighteous. Can you imagine an unrighteous God giving glory to things like idols, creatures, or other created things?
Here’s the shocker. God will not give his glory to another because he intends to share it with his people who are in Christ. God will bring all those who are in Christ into his glory. Let’s pair Isaiah 48:11 with Romans 8:30. “My glory I will not give to another…Those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
This may be heavy stuff for a Friday morning, but think about it. God possesses all glory and preserves his glory for all time. He will not cease to be glorified. He will not give up his plans and purposes for his world that bring him glory. He will not give his glory to another. But he will share it with those whom he saves by grace through faith in his Son Jesus Christ. In fact, this is the way God is most glorified. His electing, calling, justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying grace toward sinners brings him glory. His glory is our future.
We are forever grateful that God will forever possess and preserve his glory, and that he will graciously bring us into it.
As you are busy with the tasks of the day, don’t forget to take a few breaks to think on these things. May you be encouraged to do all things for the glory of God.
Let’s pray today for our time together in Isaiah this Sunday.
-Scott