Give Him All The Glory!

As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we are suppose to live in humility as a result of our relationship with Jesus. We are suppose to be humble folks. Not a playing at humility, the false stuff, but a true understanding that it is the LORD who works all things through us. Our only part in his work is obedience and a willingness to be his vessel. This means that we don't take credit for anything.

Taking credit for the LORD's work robs him of his glory and he won't stand for it. Remember Moses and that rock. The people had been complaining again and Yahweh gave Moses' instruction, telling him to speak to the rock to bring the water. This is the second time Moses had to do this kind of miracle. The first time was at the very beginning of their journey:

And the Lord said to Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6)

Now look at the second time. Yahweh gave different instructions to Moses. He told him to speak to the rock. Not only did Moses not speak but he also took credit for it:

And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. (Numbers 20:10-11)

Now compare this to the humility of David, mighty warrior, the subject of much praise and singing. He knew his success was not due to his skill but because of the LORD. David refused to take any credit for his achievements. He spoke to his small army of mighty men and reminded them:

My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. (1 Samuel 30:23)

David was humble and generous, giving away what the LORD had given to him because David did not see that anything actually belonged to him because it has given by the LORD. We hold a little bit of that credit back for ourselves. "Well, he did use my talent." "I did have to study hard to get here." "It was my business sense that added to what the Lord was doing." It is all rubbish. The Lord did not need your talents or intellect. If he wished he could have used the trees to do his work. We should be generous in our praise and generous in giving out what we have received from the LORD.

We need to humble ourselves before Jesus and praise him for the opportunity to serve him. We need to be thankful that he chose us as his instrument in that great work he did. Jesus never took the credit but always passed the praise to the Father. Our sincere ongoing relationship with Jesus should at least be teaching us this much. Get rid of your pride and give all the praise to Jesus. Do not rob him of his glory. He is going to get the glory regardless, just don't let it come at your shame, as it did for Moses.