This IS what we were created for according to Isaiah 43:7--"Everyone that is called by name, whom I have created for my glory, I have made him, yes I have formed him" So...if that is what we were created for, how do we glorify him? To this I turn to Jonathan Edwards who waxes so elegantly:
"Now what is glorifying God, but a rejoicing at that glory he has displayed? An understanding of the perfections of God, merely, cannot be the end of creation; for he had as good [i.e., might as well] not understand it, as see it and not be at all moved with joy at the sight. Neither can the highest end of creation be the declaring God's glory to others; for the declaring God's glory is good for nothing otherwise than to raise joy in ourselves and others at what is declared."
WOW! Honestly I'm still re-reading that and trying to soak in more of it because of the depth of thinking in those 3 sentences. It is hard thinking, but so rich.
The first sentence is saying that for us as human beings to glorify God MEANS to celebrate and treasure his beauty that he has on display. Many other synonyms could be used here, but it's just the treasuring of God BECAUSE of his God-NESS! His all-surpassing worth! Our joy is inextricably wrapped up in seeing and savoring Jesus Christ! He is our joy! That's why Nehemiah says "The joy of the Lord is my strength"
The second sentence is telling us that a MERE understanding of God's perfections is not the target. In fact, if that is all that we can achieve, Edward's declares that it would have been better to have not seen it at all, than to see it and NOT spend all our our joy in celebrating it.
The final sentence is saying that the proclaiming of God's glory to others is NOT the MAIN target; because it's final good is meant to explode our joy and the joy of others BECAUSE of what we see in Him.
Wow what a God we serve. Our joy is wrapped up in Him being adored! Thank you Jesus!
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