So many people go through this life seeking accomplishment, honor and prestige. Everyone naturally wants to be someone. It’s in our DNA. But, some of us read the Bible and discover that temporal glory and wealth is vanity, and we supernaturally steer away from the extreme zeal the world has for these things. Ideally, we seek first the kingdom and all its righteousness and let the material things be added to us without greed or dishonesty. And hopefully we humble ourselves and allow the Lord His discretion in exalting us in His time as per the Bible’s direction.

And though many of us may understand the above mentioned principles, it seems we have another snare we can fall into if we’re ignorant or not careful. Though we may have shunned many temporal vanities, it is tempting to think we will be someone great in the eternities if we play our cards right in this life. 

Our Rewards & His Glory

It is partially true that this is potentially the case. There will be rewards in different measure, and perhaps even different statuses of authority and respect according to various scriptures. But all of it will pale in comparison to the glory of God. Not to mention that all reward and honor bestowed on us comes from God and His work through us to begin with. 

The Lord allows people their time in this age to live in the delusion that they are someone special and that they are building a great legacy. There is a lot He tolerates and many people puff up in self-exaltation because of His long-suffering. But, He has appointed a day when all of this will come to an end. Even the pride of spiritual or eternal greatness will come to an end. Throughout the Bible this is called the day of the Lord. It is described in many places, but to bring out the point I’m making in this post, we’ll go to Isaiah 2:11-17 ESV.

The Lord Alone Will Be Exalted

¹¹The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

¹² For the Lord of hosts has a day
    against all that is proud and lofty,
    against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;
¹³ against all the cedars of Lebanon,
    lofty and lifted up;
    and against all the oaks of Bashan;
¹⁴ against all the lofty mountains,
    and against all the uplifted hills;
¹⁵ against every high tower,
    and against every fortified wall;
¹⁶ against all the ships of Tarshish,
    and against all the beautiful craft.
¹⁷ And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,
    and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,
    and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

Twice in these verses the Lord assures us that He alone will be exalted in that day. And though our carnal minds cry out and want to be noticed, all traces of our carnality will disappear on that day anyway, if we are born-again. We will love witnessing His exaltation on that day if we belong to His family.

We Will Marvel

2 Thessalonians 1:10 says: …when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. –ESV  

On that day we won’t be concerned about our legacy, self-worth or honor. We will be marveling at Him! We will enjoy complete freedom in being to Him what we’ve always meant to be: people in awe, worship and adoration of Him. We will lose consciousness of self. All eyes will be on Him. The Lord alone will be exalted in that day!