Glorifying God During a Vacation: Biblical Principles

Glorifying God is a fundamental command in Scripture, encompassing various aspects of human life and worship ^[1]. It is an obligation for believers [1 Corinthians 6:20], and Christ himself serves as an example of one who glorified God [John 17:4]. The concept extends to all actions, including those undertaken during periods of rest or vacation.

Biblical Foundations for Glorifying God

The Bible frequently calls for God's glory to be acknowledged and proclaimed. This glorification is due to God for His holiness [Psalm 99:9; Revelation 15:4], mercy and truth [Psalm 115:1; Romans 15:9], faithfulness [Isaiah 25:1], and wondrous works [Matthew 15:31; Acts 4:21]. It is also a response to His judgments [Isaiah 25:3; Ezekiel 28:22; Revelation 14:7] and deliverance [Psalm 50:15]. Believers are to glorify God by relying on His promises [Romans 4:20], praising Him [Psalm 50:23], and through their grace shown to others [Acts 11:18; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Galatians 1:24]. This act of glorification is acceptable through Christ [Philippians 1:11; 1 Peter 4:11] ^[1].

Praise, a key component of glorifying God, is due to Him on account of His majesty [Psalm 96:1,6; Isaiah 24:14], glory [Psalm 138:5; Ezekiel 3:12], excellency [Exodus 15:7; Psalm 148:13], greatness [1 Chronicles 16:25; Psalm 145:3], holiness [Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3], wisdom [Daniel 2:20; Jude 1:25], power [Psalm 21:13], goodness [Psalm 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jeremiah 33:11], and mercy [2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26] ^[2]. John Calvin emphasizes that the desire to promote God's glory should be a sufficient motivation for believers to do good ^[12]. Augustine similarly connects glorification with bearing much fruit, stating, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear very much fruit, and be made my disciples" [John 15:8] ^[11].

Rest and Delight in God

The concept of vacation, or a period of rest, finds its theological grounding in the creation narrative, where God Himself rested on the seventh day and made it holy [Genesis 2:3]. This divine pattern establishes rest as an integral part of creation, not merely an absence of work. The Sabbath commandment, later given to Israel, reinforced this principle, distinguishing it from mere ceremonial laws by its severe penalty for violation [Exodus 31:14] ^[10]. Charles Hodge notes that the Sabbath law was elevated "far above the level of mere positive enactments," indicating its profound significance ^[10].

During times of rest, glorifying God involves delighting in Him. Psalm 37:4 commands believers to "Delight yourself in the Lord," and promises that He will give them the desires of their heart ^[3]. This delight is experienced in communion with God [Song of Solomon 2:3], in His law [Psalm 1:1; 119:24,35], in His goodness [Nehemiah 9:25], and in His comforts [Psalm 94:19] ^[3]. Observing the Sabbath is explicitly linked to delighting in God, leading to blessings [Isaiah 58:13,14] ^[3]. The psalmist also encourages the righteous to "be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness" [Psalm 68:3]. This joy and gladness are not frivolous but are rooted in God's goodness, as Matthew Henry observes, "However it be, yet God is good" ^[15].

However, this delight and rejoicing should not devolve into excess. Maimonides, in the Mishneh Torah, cautions against becoming "overly drawn to drinking wine, mirth, and levity" during festivals, clarifying that "drunkenness, profuse mirth, and levity are not rejoicing; they are frivolity and foolishness" ^[14]. True rejoicing, therefore, maintains a posture of reverence and gratitude.

Practical Expressions of Glorifying God on Vacation

Several biblical principles can guide how one glorifies God during a vacation:

Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is a commanded act [Psalm 50:14; Philippians 4:6] and a good thing [Psalm 92:1]. Christ himself set an example of thanksgiving [Matthew 11:25; 26:27; John 6:11; 11:41], and the heavenly host engage in it [Revelation 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17] ^[4]. Vacation provides ample opportunity to express gratitude for God's provision, the beauty of creation, and the gift of rest. This thanksgiving should be offered to God and through Christ [Romans 1:8; Colossians 3:17; Hebrews 13:15], in everything [1 Thessalonians 5:18] ^[4].
Hospitality and Service: While on vacation, opportunities may arise to practice hospitality, which was highly valued in the ancient world ^[5]. Romans 12:13 encourages believers to "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality" ^[7]. This can involve being generous with resources, time, or simply a welcoming attitude towards others, reflecting God's compassion for strangers [Leviticus 19:33,34] ^[5]. Even in a relaxed setting, believers are called to serve others, demonstrating humility, which Christ exemplified [Matthew 11:29; John 13:14,15; Philippians 2:5-8] ^[6].
Exemplary Conduct: The apostle Peter exhorts believers to "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation" [1 Peter 2:12]. This principle applies universally, including during vacation. A believer's conduct, even in leisure, should reflect Christ, so that others, observing their good deeds, might be led to glorify God. This aligns with Augustine's teaching that love "worketh no ill to his neighbour" ^[9].
Reflection and Spiritual Renewal: Vacation can be a time for spiritual reflection and renewal. Just as the fifty days after the Lord's resurrection are celebrated as a period of "rest and gladness" without fasting, according to Augustine, vacation can be a time to focus on spiritual refreshment rather than arduous toil ^[13]. This period of rest can be used to deepen one's relationship with God, perhaps through prayer, meditation on Scripture, or simply appreciating God's creation. Calvin emphasizes the continuous need for prayer and supplication due to human need and sin, even when exempt from adversity ^[8].

In essence, glorifying God during a vacation is not about abstaining from enjoyment, but about integrating one's leisure with a conscious awareness of God's presence and goodness. It transforms a mere break from routine into an opportunity for worship, gratitude, and Christ-like living.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Delighting In God — Commanded -- Ps 37:4. Reconciliation leads to -- Job 22:21,26. Observing the sabbath leads to -- Isa 58:13,14. Saints' experience in Communion with God. -- Song 2:3. The law of God. -- Ps 1:1; 119:24,35. The goodness of God. -- Ne 9:25. The comforts of God. -- Ps 94:19. Hypocrites Pretend to. -- Isa 58:2. In heart despise. -- Job 27:10; Jer 6:10. Promises to. -- Ps 37:4. Blessedness. -- Ps 112:1.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hospitality — Hospitality was regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues. The Jewish laws respecting strangers (Leviticus 19:33,34) and the poor, (Leviticus 23:14) seq. Deuteronomy 15:7 And concerning redemption (Leviticus 25:23) seq., etc. are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality. In the law compassion to strangers is constantly enforced by the words "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34) And before the law, Abraham's entertainment of the angels, (Genesis 18:1) seq., and Lot's, (Genesis 19:1) are ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: shalt glorify me,” ( Ps. 50:15 ). Scripture, not without reason, commands us to use both continually. We have already described the greatness of our want, while experience itself proclaims the straits which press us on every side to be so numerous and so great, that all have sufficient ground to send forth sighs and groans to God without intermission, and suppliantly implore him. For even should they be exempt from adversity, still the holiest ought to be stimulated first by their sins, and, secondly, by the innumerable assaults of”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. V.--13. "Blessed are ye," says He, "when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great(3) is (part 1): 8 where there is no love, there cannot be righteousness, for "love worketh no ill to his neighbour;"(1) and if they had it, they would not tear in pieces Christ's body, which is the Church.(2) 14. But it may be asked, What is the difference when He says, "when men shall revile you," and "when they shall say all manner of evil against yo”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 46: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death.” ( Ex. xxxi. 14 .) The violation of no merely ceremonial or positive law was visited with this penalty. Even the neglect of circumcision, although it involved the rejection of both the Abrahamic and the Mosaic covenant, and necessarily worked the forfeiture of all the benefits of the theocracy, was not made a capital offence. The law of the Sabbath by being thus distinguished was raised far above the level of mere positive enactments. A character was given to it, not only of primary”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XV. 8-10. (part 1): 1. The Saviour, in thus speaking to the disciples, commends still more and more the grace whereby we are saved, when He says, "Herein is my Father glorified,(1) that ye bear very much fruit, and be made my disciples." Whether we say glorified, or made bright, both are the rendering given us of one Greek verb, namely doxazein (<greek>doxazein</greek>). For what is doxa (<greek>doxa</greek>) in Greek, is in Latin glory. I have thought it worth while to mention this, because the apostle says, "If Abraham was justified by work”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 71: he comes to exhortations beseeches us by the mercy which God has bestowed upon us ( Rom. 12:1 ). Andy indeed this one reason ought to have been sufficient, that God may be glorified in us. But if any are not so ardently desirous to promote 2101 the glory of God, still the remembrance of his kindness is most sufficient to incite them to do good (see Chrysost. Homily. in Genes). But those men, 440 440 French, “ces Pharisiens;”—those Pharisees. because, by introducing the idea of merit, they perhaps extract some forced and servile obe”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XV. -- 28.6 The Fast of Forty Days has its warrant both in the Old Testament, from the fasting of Moses 7 and of Elijah,8 and in the Gospel from the fact that our Lord fasted the same number of (part 2): beginning of another seven, and add the eighth, which is also the first day of the week, we have the 50 days complete; which period of fifty days we celebrate after the Lord's resurrection, as 313 representing not toil, but rest and gladness. For this reason we do not fast in them; and in praying we stand upright, which is an emblem of res”
Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Rest on a Holiday 6:20: When a person eats, drinks, and celebrates on a festival, he should not let himself become overly drawn to drinking wine, mirth, and levity, saying, "whoever indulges in these activities more is increasing [his observance of] the mitzvah of rejoicing." For drunkenness, 53 With regard to drunkenness, note the Rambam's statements in Hilchot De'ot 5:2, and in the Guide for the Perplexed, Vol. III, chapter 8. profuse mirth, and levity are not rejoicing; they are frivolity and foolishness. And we were not commanded to indulge in f”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 73:1: This psalm begins somewhat abruptly: Yet God is good to Israel (so the margin reads it); he had been thinking of the prosperity of the wicked; while he was thus musing the fire burned, and at last he spoke by way of check to himself for what he had been thinking of. "However it be, yet God is good." Though wicked people receive many of the gifts of his providential bounty, yet we must own that he is, in a peculiar manner, good to Israel; they have favours from him which others have not. The psalmist designs an account of a temptation he was strongly assaulted with”

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