Glory to His Name

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Not to Us, O LORD, but to Your Name Be the Glory
Stop to think about the name of the Lord. There’s just something about that name that should lead us to proclaim, “Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory” (Ps. 115:1).

What Is It About His Name?

The Bible refers to the Lord’s name in the following ways:

endures forever (Ps. 135:13)
exalted above all things (Ps. 148:13)
glorious (Ps. 72:19)
great and awesome (Ps. 99:3)
holy and awesome (Ps. 111:9)
majestic (Ps. 8:9)
reaches to the ends of the earth (Ps. 48:10)
strong tower (Prov. 18:10)

Scripture further attributes these qualities to God’s name:

always good (Ps. 52:9)
always near (Ps. 75:1)
always loving (Ps. 115:1)
always faithful (Ps. 115:1)

We can’t say the same about our own name or that of anyone else past or present. Consequently, we exclaim, “Not to us but to your name be the glory!”

What Happens When We Give Glory to the Name of the Lord?

If we truly mean it when we say, “Not to us but to your name be the glory!” then we should find ourselves doing the following:

acknowledge His name (Ps. 91:14)
ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name (Ps. 29:2; 96:8)
bless people in the name of the LORD (Ps. 129:8)
call on His name (Ps. 80:18; 116:4, 13, 17)
exalt His name together (Ps. 34:3)
extol His name for ever and ever (Ps. 145:2)
fear His name (Ps. 86:11; 102:15)
give thanks to His holy name (Ps. 106:47)
glorify His name forever (Ps. 86:9, 12)
glory in His holy name (Ps. 105:3)
hope in His name (Ps. 52:9)
lift up our banners in the name of our God (Ps. 20:5)
love His name (Ps. 69:36; 119:132)
make music to His name (Ps. 92:1)
praise His holy name (Ps. 30:4; 44:8; 96:2; 99:3; 100:4; 103:1; 113:1-3; 135:1; 140:13; 145:1, 21; 148:5)
praise His name with dancing (Ps. 149:3)
proclaim His name (Ps. 105:1)
rejoice in His name all day long (Ps. 89:16)
remember His name (Ps. 119:55)
seek His name (Ps. 83:16)
sing praise to His name (Ps. 9:2; 18:49; 61:8; 66:2, 4; 68:4; 69:30; 135:3)
swear by His name (Ps. 63:11)
trust in name of Lord (Ps. 9:10; 20:7; 33:21)

Notice the scope in terms of time — now and forever. Also note the range of means — from our words to what we do, from how we relate to Him to how we live for Him. At all times and in all ways, may we say, “Not to us but to your name be the glory!”

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Praise and Thanksgiving is Only Fitting

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Fitting to Praise
Responding in praise and thanksgiving is only fitting when we consider who God is and what He has done.

“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Ps. 147:1)

How Can We Not Praise Him?

When we consider “his acts of power” and “his surpassing greatness” (Ps. 150:2), how can we not praise Him? No one comes close to Him in ability.

How can we not praise Him when we begin to grasp “the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” (Rom. 11:33). “His understanding no one can fathom” (Isa. 40:28).

This God of whom there is none greater, loves us beyond our ability to measure (Eph. 3:18). How can it not be “pleasant and fitting to praise Him”?

Praise and Thanksgiving to God Always Appropriate

Offering praise and thanksgiving goes beyond what we do in a church building or gathering as we’re exhorted to “praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens” (Ps. 150:1). That suggests God want us to praise Him no matter where we are. We don’t need a set time or place to worship.

God also commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18). That means we praise even in pain and suffering. Job, who suffered far more in a short period of time than most of us will in a lifetime, said, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him?” (Job 13:15). In the early stage of his suffering Job affirmed God’s sovereign rights when he fell to the ground in worship saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job. 1:21). His circumstances and feelings did not dictate praise but rather the reality of a God who could be trusted to have his best interest at heart regardless of appearance.

Also read: Worship Ministry: Responding in Praise & Gratitude for Who God Is and What He Has Done

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Revere Him as Lord Because . . .

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Revere Him as Lord of lords
God deserves our honor and praise because He is the Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15), fully worthy of our all. We revere Him as Lord, aligning our lives with Him, because of who He is.

Acknowledging Who God is Leads to Revering Him as Lord

God is our Maker so “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Ps. 95:6). As the Potter, He has complete rights to gift us and use us as He wills (Rom. 9:20-21). When we complain, it’s like we’re suggesting He doesn’t know what He’s doing. We revere Him as Lord for His sovereignty when we bow before Him, accepting His design for us.

He is our Shepherd “for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Ps. 95:7). He leads us in ways that are for our good, protecting and providing for us along the way (Ps. 23; Jer. 29:11). When we’re anxious and fear, it’s like we’re suggesting that He isn’t capable and loving enough to look out for our welfare. We revere Him as Lord for His faithfulness and lovingkindness when we bow before Him, depending on Him to sovereignly guide the way.

God is also our King. As our Leader, He is our absolute Standard. We move under His banner into victory. When we allow anyone or anything else to dictate what we do, defecting from His rule, it’s like we’re suggesting that His ways are not higher, that He isn’t always right. We revere Him as Lord when we bow before Him, acknowledging Him as “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15).

Also read: Worship Ministry: Humbling Ourselves Before God by Giving Reverence & Deference to God

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Grounds for Obedience

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Jesus commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). We tend to point to those words as a prime command in support of outreach. While that’s true, Jesus obviously intends for us to do more than help people come to know Him as their Savior. He also wants to be their Lord as seen in what comes next in the instructions to baptize them and teach them “to obey everything” He commanded. We find the grounds for such obedience in verse 18, right before He said to go and make disciples.

Jesus’ Authority Provides Grounds for Expecting Obedience to Him

Jesus' Authority Gives Grounds for Obedience

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). That leaves nothing over which He wouldn’t have authority. He has full rights, not just in heaven, but also on earth. Jesus isn’t just the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) but “He is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:10). He’s the ultimate, the One with whom everyone should align.

He could claim such authority “for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). As such, He knows everything and has the power to do anything. But, since the fullness of God dwells in Him, He also has the wisdom, grace, mercy, and love needed to use that knowledge and might for our good. Hence, it only makes sense that we yield to Him as Lord of our lives, obeying Him in all things. Any commands He gives us look out for our welfare, protecting us and providing benefit to our lives. So, in our discipleship efforts, it has to be about more than trying to get people to conform out of fear of one day giving an account to God (Rom. 14:12). Yielding to Him is for our good as well as His glory.

Implications of Jesus’ Authority for Our Discipleship Efforts

Since Jesus has all authority, we need to make sure we communicate in a way that points people to Him as the ultimate authority. We must be careful we don’t inadvertently set ourselves up as the one to whom they owe their allegiance. We must make it about Him, not us. We must promote His purposes, design, and mission for the Church, not our personal agendas.

As a light in the world, we reflect His light (Matt. 5:14-16; Jn. 8:12). As the salt of the earth, we season what we say with His grace and truth (Matt. 5:13; Col. 4:6). As His ambassadors, we represent Him (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

Also Read: Authority in Communication

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Requisites for Real Change over Quick Solutions

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Driven by our own self-interests, comfort levels, or personal convenience, we may be tempted to simply apply a quick solution to situations rather than seek real change. We might therefore choose to take the easiest, least resistant, or quickest path rather than truly work through issues. God, however, desires real change and He shows us what it takes.

Philippians 2:1-7 Shows What It Takes for Real Change3 Requisites for Pursuing Real Change Over Quick Solutions in Philippians 2:1-7

God knows our natural tendencies and therefore instructs us in what it will take to do what is best for all rather than merely applying a bandage and hoping it will go away.

1) Seek Unity out of Diversity

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Phil. 2:1-2)

We must find our unity in Christ and fellowship in the Spirit, rather than caring more about our personal opinions and preferences. When we do, we’ll exhibit tenderness, compassion, joy, and love toward one another. We’ll be able to work through differences rather than cover over them or compromise merely to keep peace. — This means truly accepting and respecting one another regardless of where we stand on issues. We come together in Christ and seek to get on page with Him.

2) Be Driven by Selfless Motivations

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil. 2:3-4)

When we truly look out for the good of others, we realize that it isn’t about what’s the most convenient or comfortable for us. We realize that taking the path of least resistance isn’t always what is best for everyone involved. — This means truly trying to help the other person reach their potential in Christ from the inside out, not merely tolerating them or being satisfied with mere outward conformity.

3) Maintain Christ-like Attitudes

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2:5-7)

When we approach people with a Christ-like attitude, we find ourselves willingly giving of our time to serve in ways that truly make a difference. We seek the best for others regardless of the time and effort it takes. — This means truly investing our lives into people and the ministry God has given us, not doing just enough to get by.

Church Leaders, Also Check Out These Posts: Change Management

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Quick Solutions or Real Change in Classroom Discipline?

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Anyone in children’s ministry knows the challenges of maintaining classroom discipline. It becomes even more difficult when we have a “problem child” who constantly disrupts the class. We can become frustrated by it and simply apply a quick solution, or we can seek real change.

The Objective Will Determine if We Seek Real Change or Apply a Quick Solution

If our objective is mere crowd control and somehow making it through the lesson, we’ll tend to apply quick fixes. We’ll do whatever it takes to quiet the child or get them to stop their negative behavior. Often that involves bribing them. Or, we might throw our hands up in despair and permit children to do as they please.

When our goal is to help the child truly learn and grow, we’ll look at discipline problems as opportunities to disciple them. We will want more than external conformity, so we’ll work with the child to correct the problem from the inside out. This means we take the time to identify and address the root cause of the problem.

Results of Our Approach to Classroom Discipline

Quick solutions leave unresolved issues which could become worse and keep the child from learning and growing. Bribery in classroom discipline could translate into them thinking the Christian life is about mere outward conformity rather than heart transformation (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 51:10; Lk. 6:45; Rom. 12:2). Ignoring misbehavior can give license to other children to do the same which can eventually erupt in chaos. We’ll find ourselves merely tolerating the “problem child” rather than loving them.

When we seek to use discipline problems as learning tools, we’re helping children learn for the future. We’re getting beyond temporary external conformity. In so doing we’re communicating that we truly care and want what’s for their good. — “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:11)

Get help with pursuing real change in classroom discipline:

Classroom Discipline for Real Change
The Classroom Discipline Bundle will provide a comprehensive understanding leading to a greater likelihood of accomplishing real change through discipline efforts. Each of the resources in this bundle can be ordered separately.

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