How should Christians prioritize God's glory over personal "splendor and majesty"? Our Core Text: Psalm 96:6 “Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” Setting the Verse in Context • Psalm 96 is a call to worship the LORD as King over all creation. • Verses 1-5 invite every nation to sing a new song; verse 6 explains why: all splendor and majesty already belong to God, not us. • The psalm moves from who God is to how His people must respond—giving Him glory that is exclusively His. Key Truths Highlighted • Splendor and majesty are located “before Him,” not within human achievement. • Strength and beauty flow from “His sanctuary,” reminding us that whatever good others see in us is borrowed glory. • God’s character is the unchanging standard; our role is to reflect, never to compete. Why God’s Glory Must Come First • God guards His glory: “I will not give My glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8). • Every activity, even ordinary ones, is to showcase Him: “Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Jesus set the pattern: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). • All creation ultimately echoes the same refrain: “Worthy are You…for You created all things” (Revelation 4:11). Practical Ways to Redirect the Spotlight to Him 1. Daily motive check – Ask, “Would I still do this if no one noticed me but God received praise?” 2. Silence the subtle boast – When others compliment, turn attention upward: “Praise God for the ability He gave.” 3. Steward platforms, don’t seize them – See every skill, position, or resource as God-loaned capital meant to advertise His goodness (1 Peter 4:10-11). 4. Elevate worship over image – Invest more time in private worship than in curating public appearance; the heart trained in secret naturally points others to Him in public (Matthew 6:4-6). 5. Celebrate others’ successes – Rejoice when God’s glory shines through fellow believers; it dethrones personal rivalry (Romans 12:15). 6. Practice generous anonymity – Serve where your name is unseen; the Father who sees in secret rewards openly (Matthew 6:1-4). 7. Anchor identity in Christ – Remember that in Christ “you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3); hidden lives magnify His life. Scripture Snapshots That Reinforce the Priority • 1 Chronicles 29:11 — “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty…” • Psalm 115:1 — “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.” • Colossians 3:17 — “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” • Matthew 5:16 — “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Conclusion: Living Out the Anthem “Yours, Lord, Is the Glory” Psalm 96:6 reminds us that true splendor and majesty are God’s native garments. When Christians recognize that all beauty, strength, and honor originate in His presence, personal prestige loses its lure. By filtering motives, celebrating anonymity, and channeling every success back to its Source, believers exchange fragile self-glory for the lasting brilliance of the One who truly deserves it. |
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