Word of Encouragement (9/21/2021)

Peter ends his second epistle with a doxology: “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18). Doxology is an expression of praise to God for His glory. The word itself is made up of “doxa” (glory) and “logos” (saying). This doxology, which ascribes glory to God, is as straightforward as any doxology can be.

This doxology is a good reminder that doxology should be a regular element of our prayer. Of course, a doxology doesn’t have to be only about God’s glory. We can praise God for other attributes of God, such as His holiness, grace, mercy, wisdom, power, etc. Doxology is an appropriate way of ending our prayer. Ending our prayer with a doxology reminds us of what the chief end of our prayer should be. We may pray out of desperation and all we can think about is just getting out of our present predicament. We may simply pray for certain things for ourselves and our loved ones. That’s natural and understandable. But if we are to eat and drink and do all things for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31), the glory of God should be the chief end especially of our prayers. (This is why we end our worship service with a doxology.)

When we make a conscious effort to end our prayers with a doxology, it may eventually reshape our prayers to be more God-centered. And when our prayers become more God-centered, we will pray according to God’s will more and more. You know what happens when we do that: “this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). But if we should rejoice in answered prayers, we should do so not because we got what we prayed for but because we prayed for what God desired, and because His will, which is far better than ours, was done.

Not only is doxology an appropriate way to end our prayers; it is also a great way to begin our day, isn’t it? If you are like me, mornings can be heavy as we think about all that needs to be done, some of which we dread. I need to pray so I can cast all my cares upon Him and reorient my thought and attitude according to God’s will and His love for me, instead of what I have to do (so I can think of them as something I get to do for God and others!). And how uplifting it is to remember the glory and majesty of God, who reigns over all things,

Here are some other examples of doxology in the Bible: “...to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen” (Rom. 16:27); “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:21); “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17); “...to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:25); “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever...” (Rev. 5:13); “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev. 7:12).

May these doxologies direct your eyes to our glorious God and lift your heart with faith and hope and joy!

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