The Glory of God

Piecing together things I read today:

1. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9-10
2. From the biography of Ann Judson (Adoniram Judson's wife): "Ann and Adoniram had no sense of God 'needing' them; in a real sense they believed that what happened to them was of secondary importance. A sovereign God could use them as long as he wanted but then raise up others in their place. Their religion was God-centered, not man-centered... By faith, through many long years of discouragement, they endured, as seeing Him who is invisible; relying not at all on what they could do, but wholly on what God had promised to do for them."
3. "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The chief end of God is to glorify God and enjoy himself forever." -John Piper, "Let the Nations be Glad"

God has called me into Himself. He has set me apart as his royal priest. I believe this so wholeheartedly that this morning I donned my best priestly purple shirt symbolically stating that I am a people belonging to God. I was thinking of the office of priest, one who labors for God, who sacrifices and intercedes for people. I feel God's pleasure in intercession, but I think there is more to it. I know God has called me to be his royal priest, But why? For what purpose? 

God has set me apart that I might declared the praises of him who called me out of darkness into his wonderful light. He has set me apart so that my religion might be God-centered, not man-centered. My suffering, my health, my joy, my disappoint, my strength, my weakness all exist to bring him glory. While I benefit from his calling and his promises, the ultimate purpose is so that I might join him in his work of making his name great. He is my God and I will serve Him. If the heavens declare his glory, so must I. He is greatly to be praised!!!