Shown: Be Glorified

A Fig Newton Reflection

Oh family… where do I begin…

Let me begin this way.

This morning, I felt like a little girl again; given a Nabisco Fig Newton so she would sit still.

They took a few minutes to eat… and while I sat there, I would begin to talk. I do love me some Fig Newtons.

This morning began as normal. Coffee with honey, a very well-toasted (alright… burnt) waffle, sitting at my desk to read, journal, and ponder.

I pulled up a YouTube I hadn’t listened to in a while. Israel Houghton leading worship from a home setting during the 2021 shutdown.

The video began with How Great Thou Art in Spanish, so beautiful. Then the song changed…Be Glorified. (Here comes the Fig Newton.)

I stopped everything.

And I listened. Not like I had heard it before, but like I was hearing it for the very first time. My eyes filled, my heart enlarged, and I whispered… Oh yes, Lord.

Life has been different since the 40 days of Lent. I did not expect what He did and I cannot fully explain what He did.

All I know is… I was blind, and now I see. Not physically, but spiritually.

And this song, Be Glorified, became my grateful cry: Let what You have done in me… glorify You.

As I sat with the song, I wondered. Does this come from Scripture?

So, I began to look, and I found it was written by Bob Kilpatrick, originally titled:

“In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified Today.”

That title drew me in even more. I found lyrics I had never heard before… but still, something in me knew, there was a Scripture waiting… Psalm 19.

And before I even realized it, something else connected to what I just found.

Earlier that morning, while still in bed, I had been trying to find words for what has been happening in me since Lent. But nothing came. Until this.

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork…” (Psalm 19:1)

As I read, it felt like I was watching it unfold, creation declaring, His Word restoring, and my heart being brought into wonder. And then I came to the end:

Something in me paused, and I asked, Do I really want to be… acceptable?

Because in our world today, “acceptable” often means the bare minimum. And that did not match David, and it did not match what I was feeling.

So… I stayed. (Fig Newton)

And then it opened, I found the Hebrew word for acceptable is ratson.
Meaning: delight, pleasure, that which is willingly received.

And suddenly, the verse came alive. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be a delight… something You willingly receive.

And then, these words rose off the page, “in Thy sight”. Meaning: before Your face, and fully seen, offered right in His presence.

Oh, how blessed we are. That what comes from within us; our words, our thoughts, can become something He delights in receiving… right before His face.

And it was in that moment, my cry met Davids: In my life, Lord… be gloried.

Pause.
Close your eyes.
See it.

In my life, Lord
Be glorified, be glorified
In my life, Lord
Be glorified today.

Amen, and Amen.

Here is the full Psalm 19, for your reading pleasure.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven,
and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

(Note: All scriptures are KJV, unless noted.)