GOD’S GLORY

Actually, God’s glory was first seen at the creation. He created by the word of His mouth and wrapped it all up in six days with all the splendour that went with it. Another example of God’s glory was displayed “on mount Horeb, the mountain of God, where the angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire from within the bush.” (Exodus 3:2) Moses, attracted to the scene, observed that the fire did not consume the bush. From within the fire, a voice spoke to him

God’s glory is synonymous with His presence. Where His presence is, His glory is manifested. All throughout Scripture, He demonstrates His glorious presence. David wrote: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2) We still marvel at the intricacy of God’s amazing creation. It is incomprehensible, extraordinary and just supernatural. Nature is in itself astonishingly beautiful.

Journey to the Promised Land

As they began their journey through the desert on their way to the Promised Land, God provided the Children of Israel with a shield to protect them from their enemies “By day He went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” (Exodus 13:21-22)  God’s presence!

To establish Moses as the authentic leader, in the eyes of the Children of Israel, God promised to descend “in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” (Exodus 19:9) “On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a quick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled..... 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, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.” (Exodus 19: 16-19) A powerful show of God’s presence that was!

Moses conferred with God up on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights. When he returned to the Children of Israel his face radiated God’s glory to the extent that they could not look at him. He had to use a veil to cover God’s glory that was imprinted on his face. “He was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.... His face was radiant and they were afraid to come near him.” (Exodus 34:29-30)

The prophet Isaiah had a unique encounter that stunned him, when he beheld God in all His glory seated on His throne whilst He [Isaiah] worshipped in the temple. “I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were six seraphs, each with six wings ... and they called to one another; “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” (Isaiah 6:1-4) Isaiah could not help but cry out loud; ‘Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty.”  (Isaiah 6:5) After that experience the prophet Isaiah’s response came spontaneously to God’s call: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” He replied: “Here I am send me!” (verse 8)

God declares that He will not share His glory with anyone, irrespective.  “I will not yield my glory to anyone.” (Isaiah 48:11) All of the glory belongs to Him. All the glory is due to His holy name. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

In the New Testament, three of Jesus’ disciples – Peter, James and John-- witnessed the glory of Jesus at very close quarters. There on a mountain, “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses, and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” A white cloud enveloped them and a voice from the cloud said: “This is my Son, whom I love; with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” (Matthew 17: 2-3, 5)

In New Testament times, as was the case in the Old, God was at work with and among His people, nudging them on. His glory was not necessarily a show of force or power but a facet of His identity – The Lord Almighty. He displayed His nature and His attributes – the Lion of the tribe of Judah; the Mighty One in battle - showing Himself strong on the behalf of His chosen people.  

God Jehovah, is living and active. “He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful hand.” (Hebrews 1:2-3)  He is now seated ‘at the right of the Majesty in heaven,’ interceding for the human race.

He is undisputedly the Son of the Father who called Him His son. As He emerged from the water after His baptism, His Father acknowledged Him thus: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:17)

Confirm therefore by your actions that Jesus is LORD indeed! He is coming back soon!