“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” — Psalm 96:3

We naturally tend to live as though everything revolves around us. Our plans, our desires, our happiness, and our success can so easily become the center of our universe.

But Scripture calls us to a radically different perspective.

Just as Copernicus challenged the belief that the earth stood at the center of the solar system, the gospel confronts our deeply rooted self-centeredness. It opens our eyes to see that we are not the center of all things. God and His glory are.

This is the great purpose of knowing God. As we behold His character, we discover that He is infinitely more worthy of our affection, worship, and devotion than anything else.

Because God is supremely glorious and does all things for His glory, we should glorify Him in everything.

God Is Supremely Glorious

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods” (Psalm 96:4).

What exactly do we mean when we speak of God’s glory?

God’s glory is the infinite worth, beauty, and majesty of who He is. It is the splendor of all His perfect attributes shining together.

His holiness is glorious. His wisdom is glorious. His power, justice, love, mercy, and grace are glorious. Everything we have learned about God’s character reveals something of His incomparable greatness.

And His glory does not depend upon our recognition.

Before creation existed, before angels sang His praises, and before any human being worshiped Him, God was already infinitely glorious. Jesus spoke of the glory He shared with the Father before the world existed (John 17:5).

God does not become glorious when we worship Him. He is glorious because of who He eternally is.

Our worship simply acknowledges what has always been true.

All Things Exist for His Glory

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

Why did God create such an immense universe? Why the countless stars, galaxies, and wonders of creation?

Ultimately, creation exists to display His glory.

And that includes us. In Isaiah 43:7, God speaks of those whom He created for His glory.

But God’s commitment to His glory extends beyond creation into redemption.

Throughout Scripture, God acts to make His name known. He delivered Israel, preserved His covenant promises, and showed mercy to His people for the glory of His name.

And when we come to the New Testament, we discover that our salvation has the same glorious purpose.

Ephesians 1 repeatedly tells us that God chose, redeemed, and adopted His people “to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:12).

Consider what that means. God saves undeserving sinners so that the greatness of His grace might be displayed and praised forever.

His glory and our everlasting joy are not competing purposes. In His grace, God brings us into the enjoyment of the very glory for which we were created.

And one day Christ will return “to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

From creation to redemption to the return of Christ, all things ultimately serve the glory of God.

Treasure His Glory Above Everything

If God does all things for His glory, how should we respond?

First, we must treasure Him above everything else.

Paul declared, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

How could Paul speak of death as gain? Because Christ was more precious to him than anything this world could offer. Even death could not rob him of his greatest treasure; it would bring him into the presence of his Savior.

This is what it means to glorify God from the heart.

We display His worth when knowing Him becomes more satisfying than worldly success, possessions, comfort, or recognition.

We also glorify Him by declaring His greatness to others. Psalm 96 calls us to proclaim His salvation and marvelous works among the nations.

The gospel is the glorious announcement that Jesus Christ died for sinners, rose victorious over death, and saves all who repent and believe. What greater privilege could we have than making Him known?

And we glorify Him through worship. “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (Psalm 96:8). Our singing, thanksgiving, reverence, and praise are fitting responses to the One who alone is worthy.

Glorify Him in Everything

God’s glory is not reserved for Sunday worship.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Even the ordinary activities of life can display His worth.

We glorify God when we work honestly, serve humbly, respond patiently, give generously, speak truthfully, and trust Him through suffering. We honor Him when our choices demonstrate that Christ matters more than our comfort or reputation.

What would change in your life if God’s glory truly governed everything?

Perhaps your priorities, your conversations, your spending, or your response to inconvenience would look different.

The Christian life is not about making ourselves great. It is about making the greatness of God known.

And that brings us back to the great purpose of knowing Him.

As we behold His holiness, wisdom, power, faithfulness, love, and grace, may our hearts increasingly treasure the One who possesses every perfection. May knowing Him deepen our worship, strengthen our obedience, and increase our desire to make Christ known.

For the greatest purpose of our lives is not that others would see how wonderful we are, but that through us they might see how glorious He is.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” — Romans 11:36