Marvelous, helpful realizations. And a jarring, helpful quote.

One thing I do during my commute (besides sing ) is ponder the things of the Lord, that He might use that thinking to bring me closer to Him. And many times He’s gracious to coalesce those thoughts into stateable sentences. Here’s two that have been tremendously helpful for my worship and walking with Him in faith.

First: Before you can properly ascribe glory to God, you have to see, savor, and marvel at His glory such that it completely blows your mind.
If you understood that, no need to read the following paragraph. What in the world does all that mean? Recall the difference between God’s intrinsic and ascribed glory. Intrinsic is the glory He’s got that never changes, and that’s what should completely wow us, and that’s what we spend our entire lives acquiring further tastes for. Ascribed glory is praise that Creation brings Him; we ascribe Him glory. Ascribed glory is what most people think of when we say “the chief end of man is the glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” But remember, ascribed glory is rooted in recognition of God’s intrinsic glory.

Second: If Jesus loves you so much to die for you, and He holds the entire universe in His sovereign hands, isn’t it completely natural to trust Him in all your everyday happenings?
I’m going to credit this realization as the fruit of Jerry Bridges’ Trusting God. Go read it. The whole book is an unpacking of three great, foundational, simple truths: God is completely sovereign, completely loving, and completely wise. Therefore trust Him. Solid.

And I close this post with a quote from John Piper’s Brother’s, We Are Not Professionals. Many people I know can benefit from these  implications of justification by faith that Piper unpacks for us. I know I’ve benefited from these implications immeasurably. I commend these to you.

Christ offers you [justification by faith alone] today as a gift. If you see Him as true and precious, if you receive the gift as your greatest treasure in life and trust in it, you will have a peace with God that passes all understanding. You will be a secure person. You will not need the approval of others. You will not need the ego-supports of wealth or power or revenge. You will be free. You will overflow with love. You will lay down your life in the cause of Christ for the joy that is set before you. Look to Christ and trust Him for your righteousness.