Psalm 96:6-8 - Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Our God is a god of splendor and majesty. These two words are not very common in our everyday speech and so even though we are familiar with them, we may not know what they really mean. Splendor is a word we use to describe someone as brilliant or magnificent in their appearance. In other words, there is grandeur and glory about them that is evident. This can certainly be said about God.
Majesty is a word we use when we are describing someone who is exceedingly great with an imposing quality to them. It’s because of this that we often apply this word to kings and queens as well as others who are in authority who seem to carry a regal or lofty air about themselves. Given the fact that God is the King of kings and Lord of lords, he would be the utmost example of what majesty looks like.
But the psalmist gives us even more reason to be in awe of God. He is also strong as well as beautiful. Both of these qualities are highly admired and pursued in the world, and God has them both. You see, what we are really receiving from these verses is an education in who God is, and why he is so worthy of our worship.
What then does our worship look like? For one, we ascribe to God who he is. In other words, we give credit where credit is due. The Lord is glorious and all glory is found in him. God is strong and the author and provider of our strength. God is glorious and his name brings with it an expectation that we would glorify him in it.
But that is not all. We ascribe, but we also bring an offering to him when we draw near to him. Much of life is spent striving after our own wants, needs and desires. We ascribe to ourselves some of these qualities and make offerings at the altar of our own pride and self-service. It is of the utmost importance that we offer up our whole lives to God, because when we offer all we are and all we have, we show the world how important and glorious God really is.
Have you entered into God’s presence lately, offering up your life for the advancement of his name in the world? Have you been making much of him, showing through your words and deeds just how great he is? Think on these things today and move forward in the strength, glory, splendor and majesty of the Lord. Enjoy him in all his grandeur and as you do, you will show him to be worthy of our offering up whatever we have for his sake.
