Worship

Tongue Of Glory

by Terry Barlow
11/14/14
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    Something comes to fruition when we remember to give thanks for something or take time to praise God for it. A cycle or process that was already set in motion seems to have finished itself. It’s a feeling of fulfillment, a sense of completion in the present, as though that’s what life’s all about, after all.  While we do not attain perfection on this side of heaven, we can experience little perfections in the plural, by returning specific thanksgivings and praises.  This is our bridge into eternity.  The psalmist says, “to the end my glory (Peter in Acts 2 interprets "glory" here as "tongue") will sing praise to you, and not be silent” (Psalm 30 v.12 )  This is a case where to fall silent is no virtue,  but is rather to fail to fulfill the purpose for which we were created.  The same Apostle Peter indicates that we are a royal priesthood called into God's wonderful light to declare His praises. (1 Peter 2, v.9)

   Remembering also the Westminster Confession that says that our purpose as human beings is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and remembering that one of the primary ways we do that is with our tongues testifying in thanksgiving and praise for blessings, it seems to fit. In fact, praise and thanksgiving fit the shapes of our mouths and are suited to the contours of our lips like nothing else we could ever utter. God has designed us for it. And not because God needs it, but, because of how we are designed, WE need it.

  To glorify God in this way is to give God the exclusive right to and use of our tongues. But the question that rises in my thoughts is, “Why did God design us this way? Words express thoughts, thoughts and the resulting words expressed turn the life like the neck turns the head or a rudder turns a big ship. If we’re continually thanking and praising God for all God’s goodness, then our minds remain on a positive track and in a healthy place.

  God knows there are plenty of negative tracks of thought out there and in here to follow, and plenty of unhealthy places to dwell. The Holy Spirit wants to steer us clear of those. That’s at least part of the answer.