Unglorified

Psalms 106:19-27
"At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. So He said He would destroy them-- had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them. Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. So He swore to them with uplifted hand that He would make them fall in the desert, make their descendants fall among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands."


Pastor John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him", the opposite of which is when we, like the Israelites, despise the pleasant land nor not believe His promises. When we grumble in their tents and do not obey the LORD (vv. 24-25). There is a place for expressing our raw frustrations to God, such as in other psalms and Christ meets us there, but constantly grumbling, forgetting gratitude, disobedience, and denying His power and promises (II Tim 3:5) cannot be postures that glorify Him. Time and again, from the Old to the New Testament, we are reminded of the folly of the wicked and rebellious steeped in their ungratefulness consummating in impiety, "for although they [actually] knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles (Rom 1:21-23)." For my tendencies to walk back, in thoughts, words, and acts, I seek forgiveness, and pray to God with Living Life: "Heavenly Father, thank You for the continual grace that You extend to me. Help me to remember the great works You have done. May my life reflect Your patience and love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen."

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