Voice of Glory

Man’s chief purpose for being born, is to glorify God, and delight in Him forever.  (as taught in the Westminster Shorter Catechism.)  Especially after justification, there is no greater joy for a Christian than for God to receive his just glory through ‘our’ actions.  This is one reason why each person is given spiritual gifts; which are in turn used to glorify God.  God also gives us each a “voice” in order that we can communicate the goodness of God.  I use quotes around voice because some people lose their spoken voice for various reasons, but can still communicate through numerous methods (actions, writing, motions.)  With this frame of reference, let’s look at an often asked question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

While there are multiple facets for this question, and its answer, we want to focus on how God can use a trying time, for his glory.  There are sicknesses, business failures, family failures, natural disasters, and more which occur in our sin-stained world.  While there have always been people which thought that these happened because of sin in the affected’s life; they truly happen because there is sin in the world at large.  What makes these horrible events, God glorifying?

While not making light the effects of these horrible events, the truths in Romans 8:28 are still in effect.  God takes the reactions of his people and contrasts the reactions of the world to show His greatness.  The world is not impressed nearly as much in our testimonies of success, as they are when we say God is still good in times of turmoil.  In this context, our actions and character in times of hardship, become a ‘voice’ which we proclaim the prominence of God.  We may not be able to utter the words, “God is great” in the heat of these situations due to the demands on our time and energies.  Yet an assurance of God’s providence and a positive testimony after his deliverance; shows the world our strength and His true greatness.  Lord bless us with the patience you gave the apostles, shown in your word!

“And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” John 9:2-3

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  James 1:2-4

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”1 Peter 1:6-7