Who Gets The Glory?

Discipleship Devotional, May 14th, 2025

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
— Psalm 29:2 (NIV)

As believers, no matter what we achieve in life, whether in our career or in ministry, we must always give all the glory to God. We must be conscious that we have no power of our own and we are not deserving of any glory. As human beings, the fallen nature (the flesh) makes any kind of glory a snare for our souls. Simply put, we don’t do well with glory. It always has a way of making us puffed up and forget God. But even worse is taking the glory that is due God.

It is a very dangerous thing to try and take the glory of God. A lot of times, ministers fall prey to this seductive spirit. But not just ministers—every one of us must always humble ourselves and give all credit to God.

On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
— Acts 12:21-23 (ESV)

In the passage above, King Herod thought himself to be a deity, and the consequence was fatal. Many great men have been destroyed this way—by the undue praises they took from people. They let it enter their heads, and they suddenly believe those absurd praises. Compare Herod to Paul and Barnabas when they were given such evil praises. (Acts 14:8-18)

Another reason we must be wary of this is because God resists the proud. God knows our hearts, and He knows those who will not give Him the glory. This is why many people do not receive what they pray for—because God knows that they will not give the glory to Him. Rather, they will be puffed up in pride.

Prayer

Help me, Lord, to always give you the glory in everything I do.