As we seek to have more boldness in our faith and live for Jesus daily, let’s consider the glory of God. We find God’s glory in various representations throughout Scripture. After leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt, God met them at Mount Sinai:
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. (Exodus 19:16-18)
As the Israelites wandered in the desert, they witnessed the glory of God displayed in a great cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. And at one point, Moses begged God, “Please, show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God responded, “You cannot see my face, for no one can see me and live” (vs. 20). But God permitted Moses to see His back, the “afterglow” of His glory as He passed by.
When King Solomon dedicated the new temple in Jerusalem, we read, “Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
Christ is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” (Hebrews 1:3). And John records, “The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).
As a mirror reflects lights, we are to reflect Christ’s glory to a sinful world, imitating His character. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) When we live a life that represents Christ’s character and when we give God the credit for the blessings and achievements in our life, God is glorified. Others see the “afterglow” of His glory in us.
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:4-7
Personal Application: Take time to evaluate your life. To what extent do you reflect God’s glory? What aspects of His nature do people see in you? Pray the following passages of praise to the Lord: Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9-10, 12-13.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5