"Not Unto Us!"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Not Unto Us!"

     We must build the spiritual altar within our hearts whereupon we sacrifice our reputation for that of Another.

     "Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory, for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake!" (Psalm 115:1).

    Born again believers exist for the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.  All things do, actually.  "Blessed be His glorious name forever!  And let the whole earth be filled with His glory" (Psalm 72:19).  Believers are those who know and embrace such truth.  However, our spiritual enemies tempt us to forget or neglect the God-honoring and peace-bestowing truth of a life lived seeking to direct all attention and adulation to the Savior.  Thus, we build the altar, the heart altar:

    "Heavenly Father, thank You for the privileged responsibility of representing the Lord Jesus in this lifetime and forevermore.  In this light, I acknowledge Your will in so vital a matter, and I lay upon the altar any notion of seeking to further my own name and reputation.  I choose to make personal the Psalmist's affirmation: not unto me, o Lord, not unto me, but unto Thy name give glory!"

    Having built the altar, we will then visit it often throughout our earthly lifetime, first, for grateful affirmation and remembrance.  Then, in times of failure to live in the light of  our sacrifice, we repent and confess in confidence of God's merciful restoration:

    "Heavenly Father, I acknowledge the sin of having sought to further my own honor and reputation.  Thank You for Your forgiveness and cleansing, and I trust You to lead me anew and afresh in the light of this holy place, and for Your glory."

    Having built the heart altar, we never need rebuild.  We do revisit, as necessary, to remember, reaffirm, and repent as necessary regarding the holy privilege of a life lived in the truth of God's glory.  No greater peace fills our hearts, and no more effectual life of ministry to others ensues than a life lived for the exaltation of the only One worthy of it.  "Not unto us… but unto Thy name give glory!"

"I will go in the strength of the Lord God.  I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only."

(Psalm 71:16)

"Let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven."

(Psalm 148:13)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen."

(I Timothy 1:17)