Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

The theme, “Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory,” invites us into a deep examination of the heart, especially in how we understand mission and service in God’s name. In Acts 14:5–18, Paul and Barnabas encounter a moment that could easily inflate the human ego. After the healing of the crippled man, the crowd is overwhelmed and begins to treat them as gods. Yet their reaction is immediate and striking, they tear their garments and cry out, “We are of the same nature as you.” They refuse to accept glory that does not belong to them.

This moment reveals something essential about true discipleship: the work of God must never become a platform for self-glorification. Paul and Barnabas understand that they are only instruments. The miracle is not their achievement; it is God’s action. Their mission is not to draw attention to themselves but to redirect all praise to the living God.
In our world today, this message feels especially urgent. It is easy, even within the mission of Jesus, to subtly shift the focus from God to ourselves. Service can become performance. Ministry can become self-promotion. Good works can become a means of gaining recognition, admiration, or influence. Without realizing it, we may begin to act as though the success of the mission depends on us, and we quietly take the glory that belongs to God.

The Psalm reminds us clearly in Psalm 115: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory.” This is not just a prayer, it is a discipline. It calls us to constantly purify our intentions, to ask: Why am I doing this? Who am I pointing to, myself or God?
Jesus deepens this in the Gospel, John 14:21–26, where He reminds us that everything He speaks and does comes from the Father. Even the Son does not claim independent glory. Instead, He lives in total obedience and love, revealing the Father and giving Him honor. If Jesus Himself does not seek His own glory, how much more must we, His followers, learn humility?

The truth is simple but challenging: we are not the source, we are vessels. The more we recognize this, the more freely God can work through us. When we step back, God steps forward. When we decrease, His presence increases.
Therefore, our mission is not to be seen, but to make God seen. Not to be praised, but to lead others to praise Him. Like Paul and Barnabas, we must gently but firmly reject any glory that is misplaced and direct hearts back to God.
In the end, the greatest witness we can give is not how much we have done, but how clearly God is seen through us. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

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