Glory to God
Monday’s Verse:
From Philippians 4:20 ESV
“To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
This verse always feels like a whisper. Like it’s supposed to be the gentle closing to everything we just read.
Paul doesn’t do conclusions like that.
Philippians 4 has been about joy, giving, and trusting God to provide. Paul is in prison through most of this letter, but instead of demanding his freedom, he points to God, who supplies every need. And finally… glory to God forevermore.
Our hearts still.
Especially during Easter.
Easter is not just about one day. Not just what Jesus did that one morning. Easter is about what Jesus’s resurrection means for us today. Because of the resurrected Christ, our lives are taking a new path. Suffering is not the end. Poverty does not have the final say. Death has been defeated. So we look up from our circumstances and praise God like Paul does.
Look how brief this verse is. Paul doesn’t qualify it or explain it away. He doesn’t have to. He worships.
We Lutherans like to worship like that. We don’t try to build on what Christ has done for us. We simply accept it. And then bow our knees in gratitude, lifting praise to God almost without thinking.
It is personal, too. Our God and Father. Not some cosmic-being we don’t know. This is the God who raised Jesus from the dead. This is the God who promised and keeps promising. This is the God who made you His child in baptism. The God that Paul praised is here with you today.
Lord, help us to live from this place:
Glory to God when life is good.
Glory to God in our need.
Glory to God when we don’t understand.
Glory to God, because Jesus defeated sin and death, and life is forever changed.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
In days when I can’t see past my own actions, gracious Father, remind me of what You’ve done for me through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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