DAY 1 — Our Chief End: All of Life for God’s Glory
Foundation Day for the Full Year
Scripture
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Psalm 16:11
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Confessional Truth
Westminster Shorter Catechism 1 teaches that the entire Christian life begins with one great truth: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
The Heidelberg Catechism echoes this purpose by reminding us that our only comfort in life and death is belonging to God. And the Belgic Confession says we were created “to serve Him, love Him, and live with Him in eternal blessedness.”
All the Reformers agreed: you cannot understand yourself until you understand God’s purpose for you.
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Reflection
Every doctrine in this devotional flows from this opening truth. You were made for God, not for yourself. Modern life trains us to begin with our needs, fears, ambitions, anxieties, and desires. But Scripture begins with God. And because Scripture begins with God, the confessions begin with God’s purpose for humanity.
To “glorify God” means to live in a way that accurately reflects His beauty, holiness, goodness, and truth. And to “enjoy Him forever” means that your joy, identity, and deepest rest can never be found in circumstances but only in Him.
The Reformers saw that doctrine was never meant to be an academic exercise. Doctrine shapes worship. Doctrine forms character. Doctrine steadies the soul in suffering and prevents the drift that happens when feelings become our guides. A confessional life is a God-centered life. It is a life that rediscovered the joy humanity was created to know.
This devotional will walk through the great doctrines of the Christian faith, but you must hold this truth before them all: your purpose is not self-expression or self-preservation. It is God’s glory and your joy in Him. Everything in Christianity makes sense once this becomes clear.
⸻
Application
Identify one area of your life where God’s glory has not been your aim. Pray for grace to reorient that area today.
⸻
Prayer
Father, You created me for Yourself. Teach me to desire Your glory in all things and to find my deepest joy in knowing You. Turn my heart from smaller aims and shallow comforts, and lead me in the path of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Foundation Day for the Full Year
Scripture
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Psalm 16:11
⸻
Confessional Truth
Westminster Shorter Catechism 1 teaches that the entire Christian life begins with one great truth: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
The Heidelberg Catechism echoes this purpose by reminding us that our only comfort in life and death is belonging to God. And the Belgic Confession says we were created “to serve Him, love Him, and live with Him in eternal blessedness.”
All the Reformers agreed: you cannot understand yourself until you understand God’s purpose for you.
⸻
Reflection
Every doctrine in this devotional flows from this opening truth. You were made for God, not for yourself. Modern life trains us to begin with our needs, fears, ambitions, anxieties, and desires. But Scripture begins with God. And because Scripture begins with God, the confessions begin with God’s purpose for humanity.
To “glorify God” means to live in a way that accurately reflects His beauty, holiness, goodness, and truth. And to “enjoy Him forever” means that your joy, identity, and deepest rest can never be found in circumstances but only in Him.
The Reformers saw that doctrine was never meant to be an academic exercise. Doctrine shapes worship. Doctrine forms character. Doctrine steadies the soul in suffering and prevents the drift that happens when feelings become our guides. A confessional life is a God-centered life. It is a life that rediscovered the joy humanity was created to know.
This devotional will walk through the great doctrines of the Christian faith, but you must hold this truth before them all: your purpose is not self-expression or self-preservation. It is God’s glory and your joy in Him. Everything in Christianity makes sense once this becomes clear.
⸻
Application
Identify one area of your life where God’s glory has not been your aim. Pray for grace to reorient that area today.
⸻
Prayer
Father, You created me for Yourself. Teach me to desire Your glory in all things and to find my deepest joy in knowing You. Turn my heart from smaller aims and shallow comforts, and lead me in the path of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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