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 ESV
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
Confessional Summary
The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches that the entire Christian life begins with one great truth, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.1).
The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that our only comfort in life and in death is that we belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ (Heidelberg Catechism Q.1).
Heidelberg also explains why we were created, “That he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him, and live with him in eternal blessedness” (Heidelberg Catechism Q.6).
The Belgic Confession describes this same God as “the overflowing fountain of all good” (Belgic Confession Article 1).
The Reformed confessions agree. You cannot understand yourself until you understand God’s purpose for you.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches that the entire Christian life begins with one great truth, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.1).
The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that our only comfort in life and in death is that we belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ (Heidelberg Catechism Q.1).
Heidelberg also explains why we were created, “That he might rightly know God his Creator, heartily love him, and live with him in eternal blessedness” (Heidelberg Catechism Q.6).
The Belgic Confession describes this same God as “the overflowing fountain of all good” (Belgic Confession Article 1).
The Reformed confessions agree. 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.
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.
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.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Day 1: Our Chief End, All of Life for God's GloryDay 2: The Doctrine of God, The God Who IsDay 3: God Is, The Living God Who Truly ExistsDay 4: God Speaks First, Knowing the Living GodDay 5: The Only True God, No RivalsDay 6: God is Spirit, Not Like UsDay 7: God Is Self-Existent, “I AM”Day 8: God Is Not Divided, His Perfections Do Not CompeteDay 9: God Is Holy, Not Safe, Not CommonDay 10: God Is Love, Not Indifferent, Not SentimentalDay 11: God Is Just, The Judge of All the EarthDay 12: God Is Merciful, He Delights to PardonDay 13: God Is Sovereign, None Can Stay His HandDay 14: God Is Wise, Never Confused, Never LateDay 15: God Is Good, He Does GoodDay 16: God Is True, He Cannot LieDay 17: God Is Eternal, Before All, After AllDay 18: God Is Unchanging, Your AnchorDay 19: God Is Omniscient, Fully Known by God, Fully Loved in ChristDay 20: God Is Omnipresent, Never AbsentDay 21: God Is Omnipotent, God Is AbleDay 22: The Trinity, One God in Three PersonsDay 23: The Father, Source, Sender, and AdopterDay 24: The Son Eternal God Redeeming LordDay 25: The Spirit, Lord, and Giver of LifeDay 26: God’s Grace and Decree: Salvation Begins with GodDay 27: Providence: The Fatherly Hand Over All ThingsDay 28: Worship, The Proper End of the Doctrine of GodDay 29: The Doctrine of Scripture, The God Who SpeaksDay 30: Revelation; General and SpecialDay 31: The Authority of Scripture
February
Day 32: Inspiration, God-Breathed and Given by the SpiritDay 33: The Authority of Scripture, The Line You Do Not CrossDay 34: Self-Authenticating Scripture, Recognizing the Word of GodDay 35: The Role of the Holy Spirit, Illumination Not InnovationDay 36: Inerrancy and Truthfulness, Truth Has a NameDay 37: The Sufficiency of Scripture, God’s Word is EnoughDay 38: The Clarity of Scripture, An Open DoorDay 39: The Canon of Scripture, A Settled WordDay 40: The Unity of Scripture, One Story, One SaviorDay 41: Preservation of Scripture, The Word Kept PureDay 42: Translation and Accessibility, The Word Made PlainDay 43: Scripture and Tradition, The Final Court of AppealDay 44: Scripture and the ChurchDay 45: Scripture and Worship, God Sets the TermsDay 46: Scripture and Preaching, God Speaks Through MeansDay 47: Scripture and ObedienceDay 48: Scripture and SanctificationDay 49: Scripture and Comfort, God Speaks PeaceDay 50: Scripture and Assurance, God Speaks CertaintyTaking a Pause