Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

We often speak of the required response for work done as “credit”. The end of the movies, the names of all the people who made the film pass by the audience and we see the credits. Someone gets something right, even if they are in disagreement on other things we say “credit where it is due.” But that implies that we have something to withhold from the one who did the work or acted properly, maybe in the form of money or praise or even just simple acknowledgement. We have at least a bit of power over the other person with that credit we can choose to give.

But we can’t do that with God.

The Creator needs nothing from us. Everything that is made comes due to him in time, even if he deigns to permit our muddling about with it for a while. We owe him everything, and so we can credit him nothing. That’s why we glorify him. It is praise upon praise, a surplus of good word on his behalf. It is the most we can do for him and the least of what he deserves.

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Romans 2:6-11

Interesting then, that God is waiting a time in which he will give credit to each of us for what we have done and grant us glory. What a remarkable turn! For all the little the glory we give the Creator amounts to, he himself wants to glorify us, the Creation. Thank God for his gracious gifts.

Ethan Kirl