Made for His Glory
“Bring to me all the people who are mine, whom I made for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 (NCV)
Most of us have had some counseling, read some self-help books, or attended a motivational seminar at some point in our lives. Many have invested thousands of dollars trying to find that bluebird of happiness and that feel-good feeling. As Max Lucado explains (excerpted from Unshakable Hope), we need to stop wasting our time and money because God sees through our fog and gives us clarity. How easily we can be led astray by the charismatic speakers and snake-oil sales people. What Lucado promotes has no price tag but it is priceless.
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Pop psychology is wrong when it tells you to look inside yourself and find your value. The magazines are wrong when they suggest you are only as good as you are thin, muscular, pimple-free, or perfumed. Religious leaders lie when they urge you to grade your significance according to your church attendance, self-discipline, or spirituality.
According to the Bible you are good simply because God made you in his image. Period. He cherishes you because you bear a resemblance to him. And you will only be satisfied when you engage in your role as an image bearer of God. Such was the view of King David: “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). Lay hold of this promise, and spare yourself a world of confusion and fear. How much sadness would evaporate if every person would simply chose to believe this: I was made for God’s glory and am being made into his image.
Gracious God, please help us to see ourselves (and each other) as You see us. We so desperately need Your Peace and Love. Show us how to find our beauty in You. AMEN.
Photo: Michael Johnston