Not unto Us, but unto God Be the Glory

Scripture Reading: Psalm 115

Key Verse:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”
—Psalm 115:1

There is something in human nature that enjoys receiving praise. We like people to notice what we have achieved and congratulate us for what we have done. However, the writer of Psalm 115 begins with a humble declaration:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.”

The psalmist understood that every victory, every blessing and every answered prayer came from God. He refused to take the glory that belonged to the Lord.

That must also be the cry of every Christian heart: “Lord, do not let people see me; let them see Jesus in me.”

1. God Alone Deserves the Glory

We cannot save ourselves. We cannot forgive our own sins, purchase our salvation or earn our place in Heaven. Salvation is entirely the work of God’s grace.

Jesus went to Calvary. Jesus carried our sins. Jesus shed His precious blood, and Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave. Therefore, all the glory belongs to Him.

If God has blessed your ministry, give Him the glory. If He has answered your prayers, give Him the glory. If He has brought you through sickness, sorrow or trouble, give Him the glory.

We may plant and water, but it is God who gives the increase. Without Him, we can do nothing.

2. Our God Is Still on the Throne

The unbelieving nations asked:

“Where is now their God?”
—Psalm 115:2

Perhaps you have heard a similar question. When trouble enters your life, people may ask, “Where is your God now?” When prayers appear to remain unanswered, the enemy may whisper, “Has God forgotten you?”

The psalmist gives a powerful answer:

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
—Psalm 115:3

Our God is still in Heaven. He remains on His throne and has not lost any of His power. Nothing takes Him by surprise, and nothing is beyond His control.

We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust His heart when we cannot see His hand. God’s silence does not mean His absence, and His delay does not mean His denial.

3. The Emptiness of Idols

Verses 4–8 describe the idols of the nations. They were made from silver and gold by human hands. They had mouths but could not speak, eyes but could not see, ears but could not hear and feet but could not walk.

They looked impressive, but there was no life within them.

People may say that they do not worship idols today, yet anything that takes God’s rightful place in our hearts becomes an idol. Money can become an idol. Possessions, popularity, pleasure and power can become idols. Even our work or ministry can become an idol if it becomes more important than the Lord Himself.

These things cannot save us. Wealth cannot purchase forgiveness. Popularity cannot give peace to a troubled heart. Earthly power cannot prepare a soul for eternity.

Only Jesus can save.

The psalmist also gives a serious warning:

“They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.”
—Psalm 115:8

We become like whatever we worship. If we worship lifeless things, our hearts will become spiritually cold. But when we look to Christ and walk with Him, He changes us and makes us more like Himself.

4. Trust in the Lord

Three times the psalm gives the same command:

“O Israel, trust thou in the LORD.”
“O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD.”
“Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD.”

Then the same wonderful promise is repeated:

“He is their help and their shield.”

God is our help when we are weak and our shield when the enemy attacks.

People may fail us. Friends may disappoint us. Governments and institutions may let us down. Our own strength may disappear, but the Lord will never fail those who put their trust in Him.

Trusting God does not mean that we will never experience trouble. It means that trouble will never have the final word. Our help and protection come from the Almighty God.

Child of God, whatever you are facing today, trust in the Lord. When you cannot understand, trust Him. When you cannot see a way forward, trust Him. When the burden becomes heavy, trust Him. He remains your help and your shield.

5. The Lord Has Not Forgotten You

Verse 12 contains a precious promise:

“The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us.”

To be mindful means to remember and care about someone. God has not forgotten you.

He remembers the prayers you prayed when nobody else was listening. He sees the tears you shed in secret. He knows the burdens you carry and the battles you fight.

God promises to bless those who fear Him:

“He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.”
—Psalm 115:13

You may feel small and unnoticed by the world, but you are never unnoticed by God. He does not judge people by their position, wealth or popularity. He sees every faithful servant and knows every heart that truly fears His name.

God’s blessing does not always mean riches or freedom from trouble. Sometimes His blessing comes as strength to endure, peace in the storm, wisdom for the journey and grace for each new day.

6. We Were Created to Praise the Lord

The psalm ends with this declaration:

“But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.”
—Psalm 115:18

We have been given this life so that we might know God, serve Him and glorify His name. We should not wait until everything is perfect before praising Him.

Praise Him in the sunshine and in the storm. Praise Him on the mountain and in the valley. Praise Him when the prayer is answered, and continue trusting Him while you are waiting.

As long as God gives us breath, we should use it to praise Him.

Conclusion

Psalm 115 asks every one of us an important question: In whom or in what are we trusting?

The idols of this world cannot see us, hear us, help us or save us. But our God is alive. He sits upon His throne, remembers His people and remains their help and shield.

Let us stop seeking glory for ourselves and give all the honour to Jesus. Let our lives declare:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.”

May God receive the glory for every blessing, every victory and every soul that is saved. From this time forth and for evermore, let us bless the Lord.

Praise ye the Lord.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we give all the glory and honour to You. Forgive us for the times when we have trusted in ourselves or allowed the things of this world to take Your place in our hearts. Help us to remember that You are our help and our shield. Thank You for never forgetting us and for remaining faithful through every trial. May our words, our work and our lives bring glory to the name of Jesus. In His precious name we pray. Amen.

For Georges Web Ministries

13th September 2026

God is a good God

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