The Lord’s glory will appear, and all humanity will see it together; the Lord’s mouth has commanded it” (Isaiah 40:5 CEB).

Has anyone ever taken credit for your accomplishment?

Spotlight stealing is among the slimiest of sins. It’s a cruel crime committed by insecure bullies who stain the successes of their victims with deceit, disloyalty, and dishonor (just ask pretty much any woman from any time period ever).

Many have had their glorious moments overshadowed by jealous attention-hoarders, but none as often as the Lord. Throughout history, mere mortals have taken credit for divine provisions, from rainfall to miraculous healings, and leveraged their lies to procure worship and profits for themselves.

It may seem like these con artists will get away with fraud forever, but one day the Lord’s glory will appear in such an unmistakeable manner that all of humanity will see it together. It happened, in part, when Babylon fell and the exiled people of Judah were allowed to return home. It happened again, even more fully, when Jesus rose from the grave and the gospel spread to the ends of the earth. And it will happen, finally, when Christ returns for all humanity to see together. The Lord’s mouth has commanded it.

Dear God, we take this moment to proclaim your incomparable praise-worthiness. Amen.