“To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36b
“To him be glory forever.” This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this—“To him be glory forever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory forever.”
You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord’s glory. As a Christian, you are from God and through God, then live to God (v. 36a).
Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul. Let this be the foundation of every enterprise into which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill. Make God your only object. Depend upon it where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,
To me ’tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death—appoint me ease or pain.
Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. You blessed him in your youth, and do not be content with such praises as you gave him then.
Has God prospered you in business? Give him more as he has given you more.
Has God given you experience? Praise him by stronger faith than you exercised at first.
Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly.
Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give him more music. Put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise.
Give him honor practically in your life, putting the “Amen” to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
