The Bible clearly tells us that man was created to glorify God and bring him joy. God created man for himself – for his own glory – or “to the praise of his glory” as the apostle Paul is saying (Ephesians 1:6,12,14) . God tells us through the prophet Isaiah:

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. (Isaiah 43:6-7)

This fact guarantees that our lives are significant. When we first realize that God did not need to create us and does not need us for anything, we could conclude that our lives have no importance at all. But the Bible tells us that we were created for God’s own glory, indicating that we are important to God himself. This is the final definition of genuine importance or significance to our lives: If we are truly important to God for all eternity, then what greater measure of importance or significance could we want?

Therefore the original purpose for man is to fulfil the reason for which God created us: to glorify him. As we glorify God and enjoy him, the Bible tells us that he rejoices in us. The prophets are saying:

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5)

He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

God is the creator, he had all things, and he deserves all glory. In fact he is worthy of receiving glory. It would wrong for man to seek glory for himself, but it is right for God. In fact it would be terrible wrong if he did not receive glory from all creatures in the universe. The elders around God’s throne continually give him praise and glory:

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."  (Revelation 4:11)