This last December I began reading John Piper’s book, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002). He made a very important point at the beginning of the book: “God’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy His glory forever.” (p.6) The most important thing to God is His glory. It is what He works towards (Jn. 17:1,5), it is what He defends above all else (Isa. 42:8). God’s glory is to be equated with His very person, His very core attributes as disclosed in Exodus 34:6-7 and in Isaiah 40:13-14.

As such, we are called to give God glory (1Co. 6:20; 10:31). We can do this by offering “the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (Ps. 50:23), especially when we don’t feel like it or see the outcome of the difficult situation we’re in. God severely punishes those who do not give Him glory or thank Him (Rom. 1:21); and if He punishes those so harshly who don’t believe in Him, how much more will He discipline us, His children, if we wilfully ignore, usurp or steal His glory (1Pe. 4:17)? Thankfully, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins—even this one—if we confess them to Him in Jesus’ name (1Jn. 1:9).

My resolution for this new year is to actively live for the Glory of God, starting simply by learning to praise Him in every situation, no matter how difficult. (We are getting quite a few of those with our kids not sleeping at night.) I challenge you to make this your goal for 2014, as well.