Thine is the Glory, Forever and Ever--Sept. 18, 2020

 

Let all creation praise your name, O God; 

your glory is above heaven and earth.

 

As humans, we want to glorify ourselves,

and our authorities are no exception.

 

Some like to show off a beautiful mate;

some suppress loyalty to anyone else.

 

Royalty or commoner, wealthy or poor,

may we never seek our own glory, 

but only yours, dear Lord.  

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 130; 148; 32; 139

Esther 1:1-4, 10-19

Acts 17:1-15

John 12:36b-43

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 148:13

Let [all creation] praise the name of the LORD,
          for his name alone is exalted;
          his glory is above earth and heaven.

 

Esther 1:11-12

…to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty; for she was fair to behold.  But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command conveyed by the eunuchs.  At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.

 

Acts 17:7b-8a

“…[The believers] are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.”  The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this…

 

John 12:43

…for [the authorities] loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.