“And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord rested upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days.” Exodus 24:15-16
Dear Ones:
The Bible speaks a great deal about glory, the glory of God, but also, the glory of nations and men. What is the meaning of this word “glory?” First, we discover that when Moses later asked the Lord that he might SEE His glory, the Lord responded by saying: “I will make all of My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.” (Ex. 33:19) When the Lord actually passed before Moses, He proclaimed: “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (34:6) By these verses we see that the essence of the meaning of the word “glory” is the revelation of the character of God, His very nature. There are degrees of seeing the glory of God. In these passages, we see the Lord reveal Himself in a cloud and fire upon mount Sinai, and yet, there is also the quiet, personal revelation of His nature to Moses.
In the gospel of John, we find the story of Lazarus, who had been dead four days. Jesus tells Martha that “…if you believe, you will SEE the glory of God.” (Jn. 11:40) When Jesus cried out to Lazarus to come forth from the open tomb, he did so. However, there was no cloud nor was there any fire, revealing the glory of God. But there was the very evidence of the power of God over death when Lazarus appeared at the mouth of the tomb, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes. Both Moses and Martha SAW the glory of God, but in a different way, and in part, for a different purpose.
Though the story of redemption, the salvation of men, began in the book of Genesis, and traversed history in the writings of the prophets, there would come a day when an angel would quietly speak to a man called Zacharias, who would become the father of John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ. The angel Gabriel would then quietly speak to a young virgin by the name of Mary, revealing to her that she would be the mother of Jesus. The story continues “in the time of Herod,” and during the reign of Ceasar Augustus. In a small, obsucre stable, the child would be born. Though the parents were knowledgeable of who the child was, even they did not realize the full import of the event. It would be when the angel would come to the shepherds abiding in the field at night, that the light would begin to break, and the revelation would become greater and clearer. The angel would say, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:11) The scripture tells us at this point something concerning this matter of “glory.” “Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, “GLORY to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.” (v.13-14) Here the glory of God is revealed, in all of its infinite simplicity, and beauty. But note that all that pertains to the revelation of the love, goodness, mercy, and grace of God in that declaration, is proclaimed by the angels, and given back to God, and Him alone. He alone is the Author of it. To Him belongs all the glory.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see Thy glory, even in the smallest and most obscure circumstances. How we praise Thee for the revelation of Yourself to our hearts and souls! Ever strengthen us to always GIVE to Thee the praise for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad