The Glory of God
The Glory of God: A Call to Loyalty and Transformation
In our pursuit of success, beauty, and influence, we often lose sight of what truly matters - the glory of God. Like Moses, who asked to see God's glory rather than seeking power or fame, we too should hunger for God's presence above all else.
But what exactly is God's glory? It's the weight of His presence, the beauty of His holiness, and the majesty of His nature. God desires to reveal His glory to us and even through us. However, we must be willing vessels, open to His movement in our lives.
As Exodus 33:18-23 recounts, Moses longed not just for God's promises, but for His presence. This desire for intimacy with God is beautifully captured in Psalm 42:1-2: "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God." This longing is not a weakness, but a form of worship - an acknowledgment that true fulfillment comes only from God.
God's glory is more than just light or fire; it's the essence of who He is. Without His presence, our church services, music, and programs are empty. We must prioritize intimacy with God above all else, seeking His presence more than His presents (gifts).
Moses understood this crucial truth. In Exodus 33:15-16, he declared, "If you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place... For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth." It's God's presence that distinguishes us, not our rules, buildings, or possessions.
When we truly encounter God's glory, it brings a holy awe that both humbles and transforms us. Isaiah 6:1-8 vividly illustrates this. Upon seeing the Lord's glory, Isaiah became acutely aware of his own sinfulness, crying out, "It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man." This holy awe is not terror, but a reverent fear, wonder, and stillness that fills the soul when we recognize God's power, holiness, and presence.
In today's world, where we've grown casual with God's name and Word, we desperately need this holy awe. Revival, repentance, and renewal all begin with our hearts bowed low and our eyes lifted high to Him.
The glory of God doesn't just inspire awe; it transforms us. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 tells us, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us... can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
This transformation is not about behavior modification, but spiritual metamorphosis. It requires dedication and surrender. Like an athlete training for competition, we must set our minds daily on living for Jesus, reading Scripture, and praying before we start our day.
As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we become more like Him. This journey of transformation is ongoing - even mature believers continue to change and grow. It's not just about attending church; it's about getting into God's presence and spending time with Him.
God's plan is for His glory to fill the earth. Habakkuk 2:14 prophesies, "For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord." As believers, we are called to be "glory carriers" - vessels that reflect and release God's presence, power, and character into a dark world.
Being a glory carrier isn't about seeking the spotlight; it's about surrender. It's not about perfection, but His presence. Through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we now carry God's glory wherever we go. As Colossians 1:27 states, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
However, God doesn't place His glory in unclean or unwilling vessels. Purity, humility, and surrender matter. We don't carry His glory to impress others, but to impact the world for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. When we carry God's glory, darkness flees, chains break, and people are drawn to Jesus through us.
This call to be glory carriers comes with a challenge: loyalty. As members of God's family and local church communities, we are called to stand by one another through trials and hardships. This loyalty isn't blind allegiance, but a commitment to support, encourage, and pray for one another, including our spiritual leaders.
Loyalty in the body of Christ means adhering to sound doctrine, being faithful in giving, and maintaining a posture of humility and teachability. It means not speaking ill of our brothers and sisters behind their backs, but addressing issues directly and lovingly. It's about recognizing that we're in this journey together, committed to seeing God's glory manifested in and through our lives and communities.
As we pursue God's glory and cultivate loyalty within the body of Christ, we position ourselves for revival and renewal. We become a people marked by God's presence, distinguished not by our achievements or possessions, but by the radiance of His glory shining through us.
Let us, therefore, echo Moses' cry: "Show me your glory, Lord!" Let's hunger for God's presence above all else, allowing His glory to transform us from the inside out. May we be willing vessels, loyal to God and to one another, carrying His presence into every corner of our world.
As we do, we'll find ourselves changed, our communities impacted, and the earth increasingly filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. This is our calling, our privilege, and our joy as followers of Christ and carriers of His glory.
In our pursuit of success, beauty, and influence, we often lose sight of what truly matters - the glory of God. Like Moses, who asked to see God's glory rather than seeking power or fame, we too should hunger for God's presence above all else.
But what exactly is God's glory? It's the weight of His presence, the beauty of His holiness, and the majesty of His nature. God desires to reveal His glory to us and even through us. However, we must be willing vessels, open to His movement in our lives.
As Exodus 33:18-23 recounts, Moses longed not just for God's promises, but for His presence. This desire for intimacy with God is beautifully captured in Psalm 42:1-2: "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God." This longing is not a weakness, but a form of worship - an acknowledgment that true fulfillment comes only from God.
God's glory is more than just light or fire; it's the essence of who He is. Without His presence, our church services, music, and programs are empty. We must prioritize intimacy with God above all else, seeking His presence more than His presents (gifts).
Moses understood this crucial truth. In Exodus 33:15-16, he declared, "If you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place... For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth." It's God's presence that distinguishes us, not our rules, buildings, or possessions.
When we truly encounter God's glory, it brings a holy awe that both humbles and transforms us. Isaiah 6:1-8 vividly illustrates this. Upon seeing the Lord's glory, Isaiah became acutely aware of his own sinfulness, crying out, "It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man." This holy awe is not terror, but a reverent fear, wonder, and stillness that fills the soul when we recognize God's power, holiness, and presence.
In today's world, where we've grown casual with God's name and Word, we desperately need this holy awe. Revival, repentance, and renewal all begin with our hearts bowed low and our eyes lifted high to Him.
The glory of God doesn't just inspire awe; it transforms us. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 tells us, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us... can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
This transformation is not about behavior modification, but spiritual metamorphosis. It requires dedication and surrender. Like an athlete training for competition, we must set our minds daily on living for Jesus, reading Scripture, and praying before we start our day.
As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we become more like Him. This journey of transformation is ongoing - even mature believers continue to change and grow. It's not just about attending church; it's about getting into God's presence and spending time with Him.
God's plan is for His glory to fill the earth. Habakkuk 2:14 prophesies, "For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord." As believers, we are called to be "glory carriers" - vessels that reflect and release God's presence, power, and character into a dark world.
Being a glory carrier isn't about seeking the spotlight; it's about surrender. It's not about perfection, but His presence. Through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we now carry God's glory wherever we go. As Colossians 1:27 states, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
However, God doesn't place His glory in unclean or unwilling vessels. Purity, humility, and surrender matter. We don't carry His glory to impress others, but to impact the world for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. When we carry God's glory, darkness flees, chains break, and people are drawn to Jesus through us.
This call to be glory carriers comes with a challenge: loyalty. As members of God's family and local church communities, we are called to stand by one another through trials and hardships. This loyalty isn't blind allegiance, but a commitment to support, encourage, and pray for one another, including our spiritual leaders.
Loyalty in the body of Christ means adhering to sound doctrine, being faithful in giving, and maintaining a posture of humility and teachability. It means not speaking ill of our brothers and sisters behind their backs, but addressing issues directly and lovingly. It's about recognizing that we're in this journey together, committed to seeing God's glory manifested in and through our lives and communities.
As we pursue God's glory and cultivate loyalty within the body of Christ, we position ourselves for revival and renewal. We become a people marked by God's presence, distinguished not by our achievements or possessions, but by the radiance of His glory shining through us.
Let us, therefore, echo Moses' cry: "Show me your glory, Lord!" Let's hunger for God's presence above all else, allowing His glory to transform us from the inside out. May we be willing vessels, loyal to God and to one another, carrying His presence into every corner of our world.
As we do, we'll find ourselves changed, our communities impacted, and the earth increasingly filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. This is our calling, our privilege, and our joy as followers of Christ and carriers of His glory.
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