Joy for Hearts
While on retreat, my spirit caught on the phrase in 1Chronicles 16:10: "Glory in His Holy Name!"
1Chronicles 16 describes the opening ceremonies for the newly re-established Tabernacle. King David had finally brought the Tabernacle near to Jerusalem and had organized an exciting day of worship, celebration, and, of course, food. The day's opening song is recorded in full. (16:8-36)
As it begins, in verses 8-9, the people are instructed to glorify God.
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! (1Chr 16:8-9)
But in the next phrase, we read, "Glory in His Holy Name!"
What is the difference between glorifying and glorying in?
To glorify someone means to talk about the good things about them. Maybe you tell others, “God is good! He can be trusted!" Or maybe you praise the person, “God, You are good! I trust You!” In both these examples, we point to the glories of God for the benefit of others.
But to glory in someone means to enjoy for yourself the good things about them. This would be to say to one’s own self, “Your God is good! It is good to trust Him.” Here I am pointing to God’s glories for my own benefit.
The next phrase in the song gets at this: “Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!” So “glorying in His Holy Name” is about “rejoicing” in our “hearts.”
Here is a simple truth: Our hearts can be made glad by reflecting on who God is.
When other joys fail us, here is a joy God supplies. What other joys offer, here is a “glory” far greater.
How do we do this, practically? As with any of the commands of Scripture that have to do with the heart, we can expect a struggle. Nevertheless, we at least now have a starting point—something to pray for:
PRAYER
LORD God, I want to glory in Your Holy Name. I want my heart to rejoice. Other things, lesser things, disappoint me. I know it is right to glorify You, but this invitation to glory in You, this is something I would love to understand better and to experience. Bless me in this way, Father, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo by Mark König on Unsplash