For many of us we have been taught that “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

We may think that these two goals are at odds with each other. We are made to share in his ultimate aim, that is to glorify himself. Therefore which is it? Are we created for His glory or for our joy?

This is what 18th Century New England pastor, Jonathan Edwards wrote:

“God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might be received both by the mind and heart.

He that testifies his idea of God’s glory doesn’t glorify God so much as he that testifies also his delight in it.”

God created us so that we might spend all of eternity glorifying Him by enjoying Him forever.

So it’s not an ‘either/or’ choice, as Edward’s says “God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.”

Let’s not just live for His glory but also rejoice in Him and make His glory our passion and joy.