Not to us, Lord, but to your name be the glory

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

Happy Birthday, Severn Vineyard! Did you know, our church is 11 years old today? We are going to celebrate (as if we needed a reason!) and I love the timely reminder from these Psalms that while it might look like we’re celebrating what we have done, we are in fact celebrating what God has done. All eyes are on him today.

Some think religion is more about trying to do good things, maybe rallying around an idea, an inspirational image or idol. But the writer of Psalm 115 knows there is a huge difference between doing things our own way and trusting in the real God. I love how he rallies people to keep trusting God, remembering their relationship with God and so many blessings.

Reminders of history, like in Psalm 114, make a huge difference in this kind of living faith in God, that we are here because of specific things he has done, and not just in our own strength. We’ll be hearing lots of stories today about things God has done, and this reminds me to keep thanking God for his work in my life too.

Psalm 116 is a reminder that God can rescue from death. Psalm 117 reminds me that great things can come in teeny tiny packages! And Psalm 118 is a reminder that God is far more than an inspirational idea for us, but an actual source of love which endures when we need it and can’t love enough on our own.

I love that the recognition of God’s love in Psalm 118 runs so strong and deep that it bumps into Jesus, the ultimate expression of the Father’s love for us. He quotes verse 22 in Matthew 21:42, and it points to the human rejection, even by God’s own people, of his work and leadership, but the promise that God kingdom would prevail in any case.

So, it’s a really good idea to remind ourselves today of what God has done, and commit to praising and glorifying him for that, everything we are now, and our hopes looking forward.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God is not distant but present in our lives. He wants us to remember that he hasn’t just given us good things to look after in our own way, but wants us to keep seeking his strength and love so we can live his way.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Spend time today celebrating Severn’s birthday! This will include enjoying praise time and people’s stories of what God has been doing, and I will ask God to bring to mind the things I can praise and credit him for in my own past and present. With this in mind, I can meaningfully commit my future to him too.

Who am I going to share this with?

My family and others I follow Jesus with.