February 9

To Him be the Glory

"Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen" Romans 11:33-36

My Bible refers to this passage of scripture as a Doxology. It was probably one of the first hymns of the early church and the words are truly beautiful. The words speak of the great depth of the riches we possess because we know God. This psalm speaks of God's wisdom and how we can never figure out why He works in our lives in the seemingly strange ways that He does so often. And yet, in doing so, He gives us such wonderful gifts. Truly, compared to God and His infinite wisdom, we are nothing. Whatever we have to offer to God is nothing to be compared with the gifts He has given to us. It is impossible to think about the relationship we have with the God of the Universe and not be in awe. The Creator of all things cared about you and me enough to redeem us from sin and death, and as if that wasn't enough, He adopted us as sons. The God of the Universe is our Father. He loves us with a father's love. Just as our brothers and sisters in the early church sang these words so can we with our whole heart "...to him be the glory forever. Amen"

Father, there is nothing we can give to You that is worth a thing, but we give You that which we have: our lives. May they bring You glory and honor as You transform them into the image of your Son. I can never repay You for the gift of Your Son, nor for all that You do in my life, but the words of my mouth can sing praise to You and I can give You all the glory and honor and praise that You so deserve. Amen