I was mortified and deeply offended. Flabbergasted. Down in the dumps. Dejected. In a blue funk. Well, you get my point and it's not on the top of my head!
How could he? What's going on? My wife and I attend a week-long conference where a friend is the speaker. The weather the week before was hideous. Sub-hurricane winds and tsunami-like rains mess with where we're going. All week long I e-mail my friend with the latest weather updates. He's most appreciative, especially when I mention that conditions are improving and that his trip two thousand miles west should be without incident.
On the opening night of our gathering, my compatriot mentioned the fierce weather system that blew through leaving a mess in its tracks. And that someone special had let him know all the meteorological details.
I'm proudly sitting on the edge of my seat, ready to stand up or raise my humble hand, waiting to hear my glorious name mentioned. Can you guess what happens? Right! Someone else, obviously less worthy or accurate, probably a big donor to his ministry, gets named and I'm not even a whisper or one waved at. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Phooey on youey! Hey, what about me?
I hadn't thought about this wicked slight until I read the opening verse of Psalm 115--'Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!' Uh oh. That stops me in my tracks.
The psalmist highlights who gets the credit in our lives. Sure, thank someone else. Be grateful, giving credit where it's due, like to someone who gives you weather alerts out of the kindness of their heart! See how I am? But you know better.
Thank the Lord for everything. Note in this psalm that praise goes to the Lord two times. Twice it's mentioned. 'Not to us...not to us...' As if to say it once is insufficient. Though we love to get the credit, it truly belongs to God. Need I say that again? 'Not to us...not to us...'
Why does God deserve it all? Why not? After all, He's God and we're not. His endless love, faithfulness, and reliability never let us down. Jesus gave His all on the cross to save us from a horrendous future. He is our all in all, always and forever. I can't credit Him with enough superlatives. He's beyond measure, worthy of all the credit.
This week, let's praise Him. You can hardly overdo it. Probably need reminding. Easily forgotten and neglected, just like for any dear soul who gave weather forecasts out of a humble and generous heart, looking for a measly word of credit, trying to save someone else from anxieties and fear!
Is there any medicine out there for the likes of me? Sure there is. Start by getting off of me, I, and myself and paying more attention to Jesus. Enough said? Is it? I better repeat it--'not to us, O Lord...not to us, but to your name...'
Lord Jesus, we love you and praise you now and forever. Amen.
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