Idolatry is not only excessive reverence, but also excessive abhorrence - that side of the coin which runs the risk of establishing a false gospel under the implication that, for example, if you hate this certain individual, you're a good person no matter what; if you love this certain individual, you're a bad person no matter what.

Man's delight in the Lord is the absolute peak of human triumph. He praises God when full of joy, and when not, he praises God to become full of joy. For to know and to live as though God is worthy of all praise, in all one's circumstances, whether seemingly good or seemingly bad, is the primary definition of joy and the richest triumph for man under God.

I pity the man who praises God only when things go his way.

Man was created to glorify God. Now, that may encompass other things which God has planned for each man, but essentially, man was created to glorify God.

If we all knew who God really was and what he really wanted for each and every one of us, we would all know that only a fool could really deny him.