In what ways can nations "glorify You" as mentioned in Isaiah 25:3? The Verse in Context “Therefore a strong people will honor You; the cities of ruthless nations will revere You.” (Isaiah 25:3) What “Glorify” Means in Scripture • To recognize God’s supreme worth and display it publicly (Psalm 86:9) • To magnify His name through worship and obedience (Psalm 96:7–8) • To showcase His character by conforming to His standards (Matthew 5:16) How Entire Nations Can Glorify God 1. Publicly Acknowledge His Sovereignty • Enshrine liberty to worship Him without coercion (Psalm 22:27–28) • Mark national moments with thanksgiving to the Lord (Psalm 33:12) 2. Uphold Righteous Laws • Craft legislation that mirrors His moral order—protecting life, marriage, and truth (Proverbs 14:34) • Administer justice impartially, safeguarding the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:17) 3. Promote Corporate Worship • Encourage gathering to honor God’s name—“all who survive of all the nations… will go up year after year to worship the King” (Zechariah 14:16) • Celebrate days of rest and remembrance patterned after His commands (Exodus 20:8–11) 4. Cultivate Compassion and Mercy • Show generosity to the poor and displaced (Deuteronomy 15:11) • Welcome the foreigner with dignity, reflecting God’s heart for the outsider (Leviticus 19:34) 5. Champion Truth in Education and Culture • Teach history as guided by God’s providence (Psalm 78:4) • Promote art, media, and scholarship that honor biblical truth (Philippians 4:8) 6. Model Integrity in Leadership • Elect and support leaders “who fear God, who are trustworthy” (Exodus 18:21) • Require transparency and accountability, mirroring God’s own faithfulness (Psalm 89:14) 7. Seek Peace and Reject Aggression • Use strength to defend the oppressed, not to exploit (Psalm 82:3–4) • Pursue diplomacy and justice, foreshadowing Christ’s reign of peace (Isaiah 2:4) 8. Support the Spread of the Gospel Globally • Allocate resources and free passage for missionaries (Isaiah 49:6) • Welcome believers from every tribe and tongue, anticipating Revelation 21:24: “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” The Ultimate Picture Isaiah 25:3 forecasts a day when even “cities of ruthless nations” turn in reverence. Until that final fulfillment, every government, community, and citizen has the privilege and responsibility to display God’s greatness by these tangible acts of honor. |