Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Psalm 111:9, "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."

This morning, man wittingly and unwittingly tries to rob God of His glory and honour. Many even of the religious world today are like the Pharisees of old that loved to have men call after them, "Rabbi, rabbi." It is in man's fallen nature to take delight in the praises of men. It is in man's wicked person to glory in himself. To these things, the LORD will repay, and He has not, does not, and will not share His glory with another.

When considering this verse, it is really no wonder why mortal man would try to wear a name of God since he tries to take credit for the other portion of the verse as well. Not long ago, I heard a man on the radio proclaim, "I saved over 500 people last year, and next year I will save over 1000." He considered himself to be the author of their eternal salvation. He considered himself to be the one that brought redemption and commanded the covenant forever. Therefore, it should not be a surprise when he tried to wear the title Reverend as well. God plainly declares that HE does it ALL in regards to redemption. He plainly declares that His covenants are ordered in all things and sure, and all His promises are in Him yea and amen. He plainly declares that HE is the one that sitteth upon the circle of the earth and is from everlasting to everlasting. God does all of these things.

What right has man to boast? What right has man to glory? If it is not in the LORD, the things that He has done, and the things that He will yet do, it is for naught and not worth the boast and the glory. There was a time when I thought I was the strongest and bravest at everything. I used to convince myself that some effort on my part could out-do anyone else. That notion is folly, and it comes from the vanity and pride of the flesh. It does not take long for the flesh to start failing. It does not take long for man to HAVE to realize that he is a fading, decaying, dying creature.

However, from the time that we are vitally born into the family of God, we can glory in something that does not fade, decay, or die. These are the things of God. Therefore, who is reverend? Whose name is to be honoured and glorified? Is it Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Peter, or Paul? All of these were but men. However, there was and is One that was more than man. He was man and God, and I am convinced that He still is. He is Holy and Reverend, and to Him be all the honour, glory, and praise forever. AMEN

In Hope,

Bro Philip