Not Unto Us

'Tis the season to let go. It is the beginning of a new year and, no doubt, you've made some resolutions. Whether you've taken the time to write them down or just quietly consider changing some things in you or around you, a sense of "new" has possibly come upon you. Check your local store websites and you will find sales on healthier food choices, exercise equipment, storage totes and home improvement supplies. Shed those extra pounds! Declutter your life! Let go. Letting go can be hard. We don't like to let go of the things that bring us comfort. Letting go can be a lifelong process. 

The Hallel, a Jewish prayer of praise recited from Psalm 113-118, begins by recounting God's love for His people and His mighty goodness to them. Psalm 115, shifts just a bit with the psalmist crying out, "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory." Surrender. Nothing we have done warrants this kind of goodness from our God. No good or wonder we could ever perform can be attributed to us. Only God is good. This psalm would have been sung at the Passover dinner Jesus shared with His disciples only hours before going to the cross. Jesus would have sung these very words, ascribing glory to the Father and not to Himself. Jesus was confessing those things He had already left behind in coming to live with humanity -- His throne, the glory of Heaven -- and surrendering to the comprehensive sacrifice He was about to offer. "All for You, O God! Whatever I have for Your glory, that I might gain nothing, but You might gain everything!" Jesus said that, and He is God! How much more should we imitate Him in our hearts and on our lips? "This all about You, O God."

Romans 8:28 tells us, "all things work together for good to those who love God, those called according to His purpose." Wonderful to know that even the hard stuff will turn out for our benefit, but would we be as willing, as capable, as eager to serve the Lord if the verse simply stated, "Everything you go through brings God the glory He is due"? I hope so. I hope I am that sold out to bringing glory to God with not a thought for myself. But the reality is, parts of my nature have cried out, "What's in it for me?" and seasons of hardship can be long and wearisome. Romans 8:28 is not only a testimony to God's innate goodness, but an encouragement to my flesh. "When all things appear hopeless, when you are ready to throw in the towel, know that God is good, and it will be okay." We can confidently, safely imitate Christ in His surrender. We can humbly say, "Not unto us. This is all about You, O God. This is all for Your glory. Whatever I have is Yours. Whatever accolades are to be gained belong to You!"

It is time to let go. It is time that, as Francis Chan says, "The point of my life is to point to Him." It is time to give God the glory He is due by giving God all we have. "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but to Your name give glory,"