"To whom be glory for ever." This should be the single desire of the
Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one.
The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it
may help him to promote this--"To Him be glory for ever." He may desire to
attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that "To Him may be
glory for ever." You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by
any other motive than a single eye to your Lord's glory. As a Christian, you
are "of God, and through God," then live "to God." Let nothing ever set your
heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul;
be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this
your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your
only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be
my supreme delight and only object,
"To me 'tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death--appoint me ease or pain."
Let your desire for God's glory be a growing desire. You blessed Him in your
youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave Him then. Has God
prospered you in business? Give Him more as He has given you more. Has God
given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at
first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy
happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and
has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music;
put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise.
Practically in your life give Him honour, putting the "Amen" to this
doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and
increasing holiness.
