Glory, He Reigns!

STORY: He Rains, Reins, Reigns!

It’s one thing to hear that God reigns, but another to read it. You see, if I hear it, I might get it confused with the other homophones: reins and rains.

When God rains, it might mean He’s raining down blessing. This carries a lot more heft after having gone through tornadoes, tropical storms and hurricanes! That’s a lot of rain, and He’s a lot of God!

When God reins, it means I’ve allowed Him control of my life and He’s directing me. That direction might sting at times if I’m not paying attention or if I try to go my own way.

But to read that God reigns—wow! That’s all I need to know. He is King. He rules. He deserves my worship. His glory is worthy of all honor. He has the supreme preeminence.

STUDY: Benedictions of Glory

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. (1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT)

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NLT)

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Revelation 4:11 NLT)

• List what the Lord possesses.
• Why do you think knowing who God is and what He possesses stimulates our adoration?
• What is creation intended to do?
• God is worthy of what?
• Why is God worthy of these things?
• God created what He pleased. What does it mean to you, to hear the phrase, “God is pleased”?

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT)

• Do you make sure all glory goes to God?
• What is God able to accomplish? How does He accomplish it?
• The church is intended to bring God glory through all generations. How might we assure this happens?

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 NLT)

• Why do you think the word honor is often paired with the word glory when it comes to making sure God receives it?
• Why do you think Paul emphasizes to Timothy that God is the eternal King and worthy of glory forever? How does knowing it affect you?

May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. (Hebrews 13:21 NLT)

• What would happen if you prayed for God to equip you with everything you needed to do His will?
• God is a personal God—not a generic god. He customizes His work in and through you. His work is powered by the same power that resurrected Jesus. He is interested in producing good things through you. Why? How does this bring Him glory?

He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)

• What does God direct our way? What proof is there that His love frees us from our sins?
• What does it mean for us to be made a Kingdom of priests?

And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:12-13 NLT)

They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:12 NLT)

• Don’t these verses make you want to join in the chorus of praise to the Lamb? What words might you use to bring Him glory?
• Praising God pleases Him, but it also will give you assurance. How does it impact you?

STEPS: Blessings of Glory

1. Continue to mature on your spiritual growth chart. “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 1:18 NLT)
2. Evaluate your motives—do you want praise for self or for God? “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT)
3. Be a fruit-bearer. “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” (John 15:8 NLT)
4. Decide a specific way you can be an instrument for good—for God’s glory. “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13 NLT)

Copyright © 2016 Kathy Carlton Willis. Used by permission.