If you spend much time in church, you hear God’s glory mentioned all the time in preachings, teachings or songs. Besides, we are often reminded that the chief purpose of our lives is “to glorify God.” My brother, my sister, have you ever wondered what the glory of God really is? When we speak of God’s glory, what are we talking about? If someone were to ask you, “What is glory?” would you know how to answer?
The word translated here as “glory” is kabod in Hebrew. Curiously, this word is derived from a root with the basic meaning of “heavy.” From this root came, among other things, a word meaning “rich.” For example, ancient Hebrew refers to a rich person as someone “heavy in wealth,” much as we might say someone is loaded when they have lots of properties. A similar extension of the literal sense of kabod included being loaded with power, reputation, or honour. It’s from this use of the word that we get the meaning of glory. God’s glory is God’s weightiness in wonderful qualities such as might, beauty, goodness, justice, and honour. And, when we think of God’s glory, we remember that God has all good things in greater quantity and quality than we can ever imagine. Because His glory reflects His essential nature. Moreover, the Bible says God is the source of all good things: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). And we also know that in Christ God shares His glory with us. But how? Let’s read the Word to understand this:
“Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:18-20).
My friend, look at this: Moses was asking, “Show me Yourself in all Your splendour.” Notice God’s answer: “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.” Hallelujah! Moses asked to see all His glory, and God gives Him “all My goodness…” God also said, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.” This brought to my mind the image of Queen Elizabeth coming to throne. My friend she is an earthly queen but the day she entered the throne room, her name was announced by proclamation. Then she enters in her splendour. Her greatness was revealed not only to her court but also to the whole world and there is no mistake as to who is the Queen of England. So in essence, this is exactly what God did for Moses. And that’s what He wants to do with His children: yes, God is talking to each of us today, “I will proclaim My own name and pass by you in all My splendour, my authority, my power, my wisdom to fight your battles, protect you and make you prosperous…” My friend, God’s glory is revealed when nothing is hidden, prevented or held back in your life! Remember that the Bible reminds us that the great tragedy in the Garden of Eden was not just sin, but the fact that man had “fallen short of the glory” (Rom. 3:23). Although many have “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man” (Rom. 1:22-23), this tragic estrangement was never God’s intention. His primary intention has always been to share His glory with His children. And because it takes him to heart, His Son, Jesus, came to earth to teach us and show us how to live to regain God’s glory. All we need to do now is to imitate Him by adopting His lifestyle. Thus, whoeverwants to see the glory of God must faithfully follow Jesus… The glory of God is in God who says ” will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (verse 19)… Why look for it in a man or things that man possess? Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.