To Him

It is amazing how many times the Bible tells us to “Look!” Consider the old word, “Behold!” Take a guess how many times it occurs in the Bible. In the ESV the word “behold” occurs 1061 times (1275 times in the KJV). That’s incredible! And of course, that’s not the only word that encourages us to pay attention. To take note. To wake up and look at something or consider something.

We’ve seen the terribly sinful condition of our hearts — and the hearts of all humanity — in Romans 1–3:19; and the great work of Christ on the cross to provide a righteousness and a sacrifice so that we could be justified by faith alone apart from works of the law in Romans 3:20–21; and the mighty sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to conquer sin and make us secure in the love of Christ in Romans 6–8; and then the great defense of the God’s sovereign grace and promise-keeping faithfulness in Romans 9–11, climaxing now with the stunning words in Romans 11:32: “God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”

And in response to all this revelation of the ways and judgments of God, Paul breaks into explicit wonder and praise in Romans 11:33–36:

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Or “who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

This is where God wants us to be when we have heard Romans 1–11. Amazed at mercy, and worshiping God through Jesus Christ. This is the response that will make us able to live out the practical moral demands of Romans 12–15.

Morality in the Christian life is not simply the willpower to do right things, because God has the authority to command them. Christian morality is the overflow of worshiping the sovereign, merciful God. Christian life is the fruit of a mind and heart transformed by seeing and savoring the all-sufficiency and sovereignty and mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

We are created and called to make the beauty and greatness of God known in the world. Our reason for being is to make much of God! To reveal His glory to the world. What better way than to have a whole national holiday next week to pour out our Thanksgiving and praise for all He’s done and gushing about what He’s done?

As I looked, I was reminded that it is commonly believed that the first Thanksgiving celebration took place in 1621. That this feast was attended by both Pilgrims and Indians who joined all together to thank God for their bountiful harvest of the previous year. This celebration was continued by the first American colonies, and later by the United States, as a time of thanksgiving for the blessings that God had bestowed upon the American people.

The official Thanksgiving Day holiday was started in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln, at the end of the Civil War, asked Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving to God for the blessings He had shown to America (one of which was an end to the Civil War).

In 1939, FDR moved the holiday to the prior week. He did this to help businesses by giving them a longer holiday shopping period. Finally, in 1941 the fourth Thursday in November was declared by Congress to be the official holiday of Thanksgiving.

The innermost, deepest longing of the human heart is to know and ENJOY the glory of God.

During our Thanksgiving holiday celebration this coming week, the desire of our heart should be to come to a greater recognition of the Lord’s many blessings in our lives; a greater appreciation of His love and grace that He has shown to us; a greater desire to submit to His desires; and finally, put our thankfulness in action revealing and enjoying His glory by praising and proclaiming Him in greater ways.

When we consider all that He has done for us, may the Lord put a new song of praise in each of our mouths and actions, as we share the wonders of His glorious grace with others and be the source of truth to ALL…

You. Were. Made. For. This.

Do you love the thought that you exist to make God look glorious?

Do you love the thought that all creation exists to display the glory of God?

Do you love the truth that all of history is designed by God to one day be a completed canvas that displays in the best way possible the greatness and beauty of God? Do you love the fact that Jesus Christ came into the world to vindicate the righteousness of God and repair the injury that we had done to the reputation of the glory of God? Do you love the truth you personally exist to make God look like what he really is — glorious? I ask again: Do you love the fact that your salvation is meant to put the glory of God’s grace on display? Do you love seeing and showing the glory of God?

This is why God created the universe. This is why he ordained history. This is why he sent his Son. This is why you exist. Forever to see and savor and show the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. The question at the end of Romans 1–11 is: Do you embrace this calling as your treasure and your joy?